Discourse Analysis

Discourse analysis looks at the way in which people have said or articulated their answers to interview questions, or how they have described an incident. It draws upon the assumption that how people recount or tell of their experiences provides deeper insight and meaning than the actual story or account itself. For example, interpreting the phenomenon of silence or pauses in the recounting of stories or answering questions may provide answers to the level of comfort a participants feels on being able to discuss the issue at hand.

 

Further Reading:

Wodak, Ruth & Meyer, Michael (2001) 'Methods of Critical Discourse Analysis', London: Sage