This paper demonstrates how two approaches from discourse studies – digital Conversation Analysis (CA) and Textual Interaction Studies (TIS) – can be used in tandem to analyse asynchronous written conversation. The main motivation for this mixed-methods approach is our observation that interaction in many asynchronous platforms, such as blogs and discussion forums, tends to be located somewhere in between the main focuses of digital CA and TIS. On the one hand, the posts in these platforms are often textually complex, multiparagraph entities. Furthermore, the opening posts usually address an imagined audience similarly to mass media texts. On the other hand, interaction within the conversation threads unfolds through the co-operation of at least two participants, and the meaning of each contribution is jointly negotiated by the participants. Our paper illustrates the benefits of combining digital CA and TIS by presenting a case analysis of one conversation thread from a Finnish book club blog.

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There is a growing interest towards metatheoretical examination of linguistic research. This special issue contributes to this examination from the perspective of discourse studies. The issue consists of seven articles which present methods in different areas of discourse studies. The aim of this introductory article is firstly to define the notions of discourse and method. Secondly, through the presentation of the articles of the issue, we present a variety of methods pertaining to different stages of research. In particular, methods of data collection and classification, as well as of data analysis, are presented. We conclude the article with some remarks on the future avenues of the methodology of discourse studies.

This study explores assessing as a social and digital activity in Twitter interactions on remote work. Digital interaction analysis of progressivity and sequentiality is used as a method that is based on online discussion research and applied conversation analysis. In hashtag #etätyö discussion participants are showing appreciation for the opportunity to work remotely, evaluating features of remote work, and advising remote workers through assessing forms and actions. Simultaneously, they progressively carry on and orient to the specific ‘hashtagged’ lines of discussion. In specific thread discussion participants organize assessing activity through positive and complementary, and occasionally negative, responses that are reciprocally and sequentially produced in line with the thread’s first tweet doing positive assessment. In conclusion, societally important issues should be assessed using jointly social and digital affordances available in the platform contexts. Furthermore, the study contributes to the discussion in digital humanities and social sciences on the importance of social interaction perspective.

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