Conversation Analysis of Open Dialogue Network Meetings

Conversation analysis is a unique approach to studying spoken interaction due to its focus on describing conversational practices, and how these practices achieve social actions. Conversation analysis differs from other analyses because of an emphasis on the observable micro details of conversation rather than an analysis of themes, internal states, or social discourses. In other words, conversation analysis studies the conversation rather than the people.
Open Dialogue emphasises the creation of polyphony, dialogue and the tolerance of uncertainty. But sometimes it is not clear on how these ideas are actually manifested within the conversation itself. We have been attempting to better understand dialogical conversations through the use of conversation analysis. Through this work we may enhance our understanding of dialogical therapy on a micro-level and identify more helpful conversational practices and hopefully answer the question of "how to go on?"
We hope to share some initial findings and to encourage discussion and feedback from workshop participants about their thoughts, ideas, and responses to this research and possible new directions for research and practice.