Applied Conversation Analysis

With the growing popularity of qualitative research methodologies, there has been a considerable interest in qualitative approaches that focus on language, and particularly the possibilities of using these methods in applied settings. The ‘discursive turn’ in many disciplines, which reflects a challenge to the essentialist and positivist view of the world, has highlighted  language as constitutive of social life, with greater attention given to how language creates and constructs reality. In particular, conversation analysis is being used in a variety of research settings from news media, health, education, management, and social welfare. In this timely text, Jessica N. Lester and Michelle O'Reilly provide practical and theoretical guidance on how to undertake conversation analysis studies in applied contexts, while also offering guidance regarding the benefits, limitations, and challenges of undertaking work of this nature. This text seeks to guide the student through the practical issues of doing conversation analysis, while providing the theoretical foundation for making research decisions. Each chapter highlights the challenges, debates, and important questions that arise in discursive research projects. The text is designed to help students make informed decisions at each stage of a research project and to reflexively consider all decisions made. Alongside practical advice, the book provides clear case examples to facilitate application. It is divided into three sections to mirror the research process ‘context and planning’, ‘doing a project using conversation analysis’, and ‘disseminating your research’.