1. conversation analysis,
INTERACTION ANALYSIS
TIP
For a USM course that
focuses upon
conversation analysis,
see COM 375/475
Chapter 8
Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

2. Introduction
The overall goal of the study of conversation is to examine messages exchanged in dyadic or small group interactions to discover the “systematic and orderly processes which are meaningful to conversants” (Heritage, 1989)

3. Some Directions of Study
Aspects of conversation to study:
topics discussed
purposes of individuals’ utterances
structure of conversation
turns
relationship between utterances
how properites of talk affect outcomes

4. CLICKER Researchers study conversation to help us become better conversationalists.
TRUE
FALSE

5. Decisions for the Researcher
Selecting a source for samples of conversation
overhearing talk
requesting samples
laboratory setting
General or Specific Talk
E.g., marital arguments, boss & worker

6. Decisions for the Researcher
Whether to select unprompted or prompted conversations (natural or structured)
To analyze real or hypothetical conversations
E.g, imagine yourself serving on a jury
Novels and films

7. Decisions for the Researcher
How to record the conversation
listen and take notes
tape record
videotape

8. Decisions for the Researcher
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Approaches
--Qualitative
+ conversation analysis
+ discourse analysis
--Quantitative
+ interaction analysis (p. 223)

9. Interaction Analysis
Key goals:
to empirically identify regular sequences of events
to identify what function an event and sequence serves

10. Interaction Analysis
Researchers typically employ structured observational schemes, pre-determined categories used to analyze the conversation
Observed sequences are compared to hypothetical sequences that could have occurred by chance

11. Interaction Analysis
Structured observations are much like content analysis
units of analysis are determined to record
coders sort the data by categories
comparison of codings between coders
analyzing and statistically testing the data

12. Case Study
Review the study on pp , applying key principles from Interaction Analysis.
Offer a summary of the study, what was studied and how. Point out key strengths and weaknesses in the study.