Conversation analysis
Leydon GM., Barnes RK.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This chapter provides a brief introduction to Conversation Analysis (CA) and its application in health care research. It helps readers to gain an overview of key theoretical principles, the sorts of research questions CA can address, how to collect and analyse CA data, and how to disseminate findings, but encourages further reading and specialised training for those planning to undertake this type of analysis. The chapter illustrates the different kinds of data conversation analysts can work with, showing the level of transcription that is needed to facilitate analysis, what analysis looks like, and direct practical applications to help readers understand what the method involves and the valuable role it can play. CA can be used in a standalone study design or in mixed methods studies. CA methods can be incorporated across the research cycle from primary research to the design of a communication-based intervention, including training interventionists, assessing implementation fidelity, and guiding its evaluation.