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Discourse Analysis

If you are having trouble making sense of your interview data, you might want to consider employing what researchers call "discourse analysis." Below are some notes from Dryzek (1997)

Dryzek, John S.(1997) Politics of the Earth: Environmental Discourses. New York: Oxford University Press.
Chap. 1 Making Sense of Earth's Politics: A Discourse Approach

“A discourse is a shared way of looking at the world. Its adherents will therefore use a particular kind of language when talking about events, which in turn rests on some common definitions, judgements, assumptions, and contentions.” (p. xii).

A discourse approach is useful because language matters: “…the way we construct, interpret, discuss, and analyze environmental problems has all kinds of consequences” (p. 9). Consider these changes in meaning over time:

Marshy lands = swamps to wetlands
Frontier to be subdued to wilderness to be protected and cherished
Austrialia and New Zealand: European colonization and “Acclimatisation Societies” what was once sought after as desirable exotics are now forms of biological pollution to be erradicated.
“Population” only 200 years old as a concept
Whales as creatures with rights

Checklist of the elements for analysis of discourses:	Checklist of items for assessing the Effects of Discourses
1. Basic entities recognized or constructed 2. Assumption about natural relationships 3. Agents and their motives 4. Key metaphors and other rhetorical devices (p. 18)	1. Politics associated with the discourse 2. Effect on policies of governments 3. Effect on institutions 4. Arguments of critics 5. Flaws revealed by evidence and argument (p.20)

Some links to the theory and practice of discourse analysis:
Stef Slembrouck (1998-2003) - WHAT IS MEANT BY DISCOURSE ANALYSIS?
http://bank.rug.ac.be/da/da.htm

ANALYSING VERBAL DATA: PRINCIPLES, METHODS, AND PROBLEMS
(this link focuses on science education, but the principles covered are useful)
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/education/jlemke/papers/handbook.htm

A Grounded Theory Approach to Analysis of Interview Data [PPT]