Doing Conversation, Discourse and Document Analysis: (Qualitative Research Kit)

Introducing the theory and practice of conversation, discourse and document analysis, this text demonstrates the usefulness of these methods in addressing key questions in the social sciences. Tim Rapley also provides an overview of the particular challenges involved in collecting and analysing data from these sources.

Table of Contents:
Studying Discourse Generating an Archive Ethics and Recording ′Data′ The Practicalities of Recording Transcribing Audio and Video Materials Exploring Conversations Exploring Conversations about and with Documents Exploring Conversations and Discourse Some Debates and Dilemmas Exploring Documents Studying Discourse Some Closing Comments

Review :
′Rapley opens the door to beginning researchers to how everyday actions might be examined empirically…I hope that this book will encourage many more new qualitative researchers to pursue this kind of work, and be both ′deeply fascinated′ and have ′fun′ as Rapley clearly does in explaining it to others′ - Qualitative Research This text is being used across two cohorts of outdoor students [Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Sports Coaching] and so far has proved popular. Of particular interest to my students are the Key Points at the end of each chapter allowing them a quick and easy reference guide as well as the opportunity to investigate points further when deemed relevant. Although being used primarily for Research Methods, this text is also highly applicable to modules in Experiential learning and Reflective Practice which both cohorts take, and The Coaching Process studied by the Adventure Sports Coaches, and is also informing second and third years in their choice and development of dissertation ideas. So far the Qualitative Research Kit is proving highly useful in undergraduate teaching and might be extended to postgraduates in the forthcoming academic year. Thank you Sage for your continued support. A splendid, conversation addition to the field. This book should draw people in to the fields of CA and DA without intimidating any of them! I appreciate the concise and specific focus of this book, and the qualitative research series it is part of. This book is user friendly and practical and so I think that the students will respond well to it. Due to the concise focus of each book on various aspects of qualitative research, the books are more affordable, applicable and relevant for coursework masters and honours students specifically. This book speaks directly to my students in terms of what they need to know and by providing practical guidelines for how to progress with their qualitative research.
There is most definitely a need for options such as these shorter and content-specific books for honours and coursework masters students as they are focusing on more specific approaches to research. It is also valuable for students who have limited financial budgets and who also find the broader and more extensive research manuals to be confusing and largely inapplicable for their research needs.
This book is a highly useful introduction to discourse and document analysis. It provides sufficient guidance, in a clear and practical manner, to enable new social policy students to conduct and analyse interviews and policy documents. It provides an important ethical perspective and encourages critical thought in a manner accessible to undergraduate students. It will definitely be an important text for our Social Policy Workshops. Short and poignant introduction, well written. Suggestions for further readings are welcome, and motivates students to indepth studies. This book fully meets my need for a concise yet comprehensive guide to this popular research method, which I can happily recommend to my final year dissertation students. Useful text for those students undertaking year three of the programme excellent book