Interactional Challenges and Researcher Reflexivity: Mapping and Analysing Conversational Space

This paper argues that a combination of visual and textual information can help researchers engage critically with their interviewing practice, identify interactional challenges and advance their reflexivity. It proposes a mapping and analysis of conversational space in qualitative interviews based on the length of speech sequences and the speed by which these move from one party to the other. Such verbal exchanges are represented visually in a conversational space map (CSM) allowing researchers to identify moments for further textual analysis and explore their interviewing practice and wider research context. It sensitises researchers to their preferred patterns of verbal interaction and the effect of these on the continuing interview, enabling them to engage more meaningfully with research participants. The process proposed here may be particularly valuable for doctoral training and supervision as well as for research teams.