Which qualitative analysis method is recommended for analyzing naturally occurring speech recordings?

Discourse analysis is particularly well-suited for analyzing naturally occurring speech recordings because it focuses on the way language is used in social contexts. This method examines interactions and the structures of conversations, considering how meaning is constructed through discourse. By focusing on language as a social practice, discourse analysis allows researchers to uncover the nuances and complexities of spoken communication, such as turn-taking, pauses, and the impact of context on speech.

Other methods might not capture the richness of naturally occurring dialogue as effectively. Thematic analysis, while useful for identifying patterns across qualitative data, tends to focus more on the content and themes rather than the structural or interactional elements of the speech. Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes how individuals create meaning through social interactions, but it is not specifically a method for analyzing speech data. Jefferson transcription provides specific guidelines for transcribing conversational data, which can be valuable, but it does not encompass the broader analytical framework needed to understand the social implications of the discourse. Thus, discourse analysis is the most appropriate method for this purpose.