Maxims for Studying Conversations

Abstract

This paper is divided into three parts. The first outlines problems which the student of conversations faces; of these, some are specific t o conversational material, others general to many kinds of scientific endeavour. The second part attempts to provide a philosophical framework within which these methodological problems can be considered. The third analyses a few existing studies of conversation, including some of my own, from a methodological viewpoint t o see what lessons can be drawn from them. In the course of these analyses, I will formulate methodological prescriptions as maxims that can be considered as suggestions as to how to do better work on conversational material. I would like to be able to say that the maxims I shall be propounding are those which have guided my own research: it would, however, be more honest to say that they are reconstructions from (the better portions of) my actual practice.