ABSTRACT

Originally published in 1977. This book focuses on how to do research in the area of face-to-face interaction when studying human social conduct. It covers the methods of data collection and analysis and looks at the efficiency of these. It secondarily considers a model for conceptualising such interactions, drawing together several social science components, especially linguistics, based on the idea that there is an organisational structure at work just as with grammar for language. Overall the book proposes a general conceptual framework for guiding empirical investigation, with emphasis on simultaneous study of a number of acts viewed within each other’s contexts. This is an excellent resource for study on non-verbal communications, describing specific studies as well as offering the clear overview and model for research.

part I|30 pages

Face-to-Face Interaction: the Research Area and Some Basic Issues

chapter 1|11 pages

Introduction

part II|102 pages

Individual Differences in Brief Conversations

part III|111 pages

Studies of the Organization of Face-to-Face Interaction

chapter 8|9 pages

Presuppositions of Research Strategy

chapter 9|19 pages

Data Generation

chapter 10|13 pages

Preliminaries to Analysis

chapter 11|68 pages

The Turn System

part IV|95 pages

A Proposed Metatheory and Research Approach