Discourse as Data: A Guide for Analysis (Published in association with The Open University) [Paperback]

Margaret Wetherell (Editor), Stephanie Taylor (Editor), Simeon J Yates (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761971580 | ISBN-13: 978-0761971580 | Publication Date: May 25, 2001 | Edition: 1

This workbook will be invaluable for students across the social sciences who need to learn how to analyze discourse. Using a step-by-step approach, students are introduced to the principal range of methods for analyzing different types of text, taken through key analytic concepts, offered specimen analyses and given the opportunity to try out analytic concepts on new data.

Discourse as Data is organized around eight chapters, six of which are related to the domains covered in the Reader, and top and tailed by two chapters which set up common methodological issues in discourse research relevant to all approaches (such as transcription and the application and the critical evaluation of discourse research).

Editorial Reviews

Review

`A highly effective introduction which gives readers a clear sense of how to analyze discourse data and then employ the analytic approaches in their own research' - David Silverman, Goldsmith College, University of London

About the Author

Margaret Wetherell is Professor of Social Psychology at the Open University, UK and Director of the Economic and Social Research Council Programme on Identities and Social Action.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; 1 edition (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761971580
• ISBN-13: 978-0761971580
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Postmodernism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Demanding but highly worthwhile, February 4, 2011

By 

David Austin "Author, Delivered Unto Lions" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discourse as Data: A Guide for Analysis (Published in association with The Open University) (Paperback)

This book really needs to be read in conjunction with Discourse Theory and Practice, a companion volume from the same authors/editors.

Discourse analysis is identified here as a field of research, rather than a single discipline, and the broad characteristics of the field and their applications (in sociology, psychology, politics, literary studies, etc.) are clearly identified.

A number of readings from various thinkers are presented which give a good flavor of how particular research methods are used in (for example) Sacks-derived conversation analysis, sociolinguistics, social psychology and Foucauldian discourse analysis.

Various activities are suggested throughout the book, thus enabling the reader to engage more closely with the methodologies described. From my point-of-view, working through these activities has been very rewarding as it has assisted in transforming dry academic knowledge into a set of practical skills. This is therefore a demanding but highly worthwhile book.