ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces Conversation Analysis (CA) as a method of gathering data involving naturalistic conversational interaction, analyzing it systematically, and reporting on features of its structural organization. It provides an overview of both canonical and more recent research, highlighting the aspects of CA and its background that may be unfamiliar to those not using it in their own research. CA is distinctive because it is not only a method for analysis, but it also constitutes an active sub-discipline within many research areas that involve the empirical study of human interaction. CA can also be used in mixed-methods research, and is especially useful in theory formation, experimental design, and evaluation processes. The best practices for CA data gathering involve examining video of an interactional situation from multiple angles where all participants' gaze directions, gestures, body orientation, and talk are – ideally – available for analysis.
