Investigating Classroom Interaction

This book adds a new perspective to existing research methodology literature on analyzing social interactions in the classroom. Not only does this book introduce multiple research methodologies for analyzing classroom interactions but it also demonstrates these methodologies at work in different empirical research studies. The authors of this book are all internationally well recognized for their research work on the social life of classrooms, and now, for the first time, they provide concrete accounts of the ways in which the theories and methodologies they have chosen to guide their research work function in action. These 'black boxes' or 'tacit knowledge' of conducting different types of analyses on classroom interaction have seldom been opened up in such a concrete way in the existing research literature. This book is an edited collection of papers introducing strands of research on classroom interaction whose logic of inquiry illuminate different approaches, analyses, and interpretations of social interactions and discourses in contemporary classroom settings. The methodological approaches discussed draw on studies of language and discourse, ethnography, as well as on sociological, psychological, and domain-specific analyses. In recognizing the complexity and challenges in mapping out the complex research territory focusing on classroom interactions, the prime goal of the book is to build a complimentary context for discussion of the ways in which different approaches to classroom interaction are realized and how they produce different analyses because of their purpose, conceptual framework, and methodological choice. The illumination of diverse approaches to classroom interaction and discourse is believed to demonstrate the potential and challenges each strand of research is likely to bring towards understanding the psychological, social and cultural life of the classroom and how these mediate the situated practice of teaching and learning in today's schooling. This book is targeted towards researchers and graduate students working within the field of social sciences, education and psychology. It also makes an excellent text for courses in research methodology, education, and related fields.