Using argumentation theory to analyze verbal interactions in organizations

Compared to the artificial language of mathematics, the language in use is often ambiguous and usually not amenable to objective interpretations. Interpretative methods are still able to produce rich linguistic evaluations, though. Yet, the loose structure of those methods can be challenging, especially for junior researchers. The argumentation theory of new rhetoric can fill this gap as a structured method of systematically dissecting arguments to generate new theoretical propositions from textual data. Arguing is practical reasoning to produce conclusions by using logically or empirically imperfect justifications. It is a way of employing rationality when formal logic and self-evident demonstrations are not applicable. Argumentation analysis can systematically capture personal views within arguments and the reasoning processes that led to those views. Accordingly, this study proposes five steps for argumentation analysis. These five steps guide researchers to identify critical arguments, analyse their structure, establish intentions behind arguments and produce hypotheses accordingly. The proposed method aims to facilitate inquiries into verbal interactions in organisations.

Örgütlerdeki sözel etkileşimlerin analizi için argümantasyon teorisinin kullanımı

Matematiğin yapay diliyle karşılaştırıldığında, normalde kullanılan dil sıkça muğlaklık arz eder ve çoğunlukla objektif bir şekilde yoruma uygun değildir. Dil yorumlama yöntemleri yine de zengin sözel değerlendirmeler üretebilmektedir. Ancak bu yöntemlerin belirsizliklere açık yapısı, özellikle deneyimsiz araştırmacılar için zorlayıcı olabilmektedir. Bu boşluğu doldurmak amacıyla, bir argümantasyon teorisi olan yeni retorik, metinsel verilerden yeni teorik önermeler üretmek amacıyla argümanları sistematik olarak incelemek için kullanılabilir. Argümantasyon, mantıksal veya deneysel olarak mükemmel olmayan çıkarımlar yaratan pratik bir akıl yürütme şeklidir. Argümantasyon, formel mantık veya deneysel kanıt uygulanamadığında rasyonaliteyi kullanmanın bir yoludur. Argümantasyon analizi ise, argümanları ve argümanlara yol açan muhakeme süreçleri içindeki kişisel görüşleri sistematik olarak değerlendirmeye yarar. Bu doğrultuda, bu çalışma argümantasyon analizi için beş adım önermektedir. Bu beş adım, kritik argümanların tespiti, argüman yapılarının analizi, argümanların arkasındaki niyetin tespiti ve bunlara göre hipotezler üretmeye yönelik araştırmacıyı yönlendirmektedir. Çalışmada önerilen yöntem, örgütlerdeki sözlü etkileşimlerin sorgulanmasını kolaylaştırmayı amaçlamaktadır.

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