Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections
Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is a qualitative methodology frequently taken up by researchers to explore complex questions of how discursive power drives inequities. Across approaches to CDA, the emphasis of methodological directions has consistently been centred on examining and illuminating do...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251321250 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850196563490504704 |
|---|---|
| author | Allie Slemon |
| author_facet | Allie Slemon |
| author_sort | Allie Slemon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is a qualitative methodology frequently taken up by researchers to explore complex questions of how discursive power drives inequities. Across approaches to CDA, the emphasis of methodological directions has consistently been centred on examining and illuminating dominant discourses in texts. This paper argues that alongside the analysis of dominant discourses, it is crucial to examine absences and silences that are located within and beyond the text. The exploration of absences and silences can support more fulsome analysis of discourse, and is essential for challenging power structures and illuminating discourses of resistance. In this paper, three analytic strategies for attending to absences and silences in CDA are presented: (i) the lens of the theoretical framework; (ii) interrelation between dominant and excluded discourses; and (iii) positionality and local knowledges. Across each analytic strategy, an exemplar from the author’s research is presented to illustrate the practice of engaging with absences and silences in CDA research. Ultimately, this paper contends that the analysis of absences and silences can support researchers in conducting inquiry that enacts resistance to power structures that perpetuate inequities, and envisioning possible paths toward equity and justice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e57ea0dd6d534faa880b8343f6e18a8f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj-art-e57ea0dd6d534faa880b8343f6e18a8f2025-08-20T02:13:26ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692025-02-012410.1177/16094069251321250Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological ReflectionsAllie SlemonCritical discourse analysis (CDA) is a qualitative methodology frequently taken up by researchers to explore complex questions of how discursive power drives inequities. Across approaches to CDA, the emphasis of methodological directions has consistently been centred on examining and illuminating dominant discourses in texts. This paper argues that alongside the analysis of dominant discourses, it is crucial to examine absences and silences that are located within and beyond the text. The exploration of absences and silences can support more fulsome analysis of discourse, and is essential for challenging power structures and illuminating discourses of resistance. In this paper, three analytic strategies for attending to absences and silences in CDA are presented: (i) the lens of the theoretical framework; (ii) interrelation between dominant and excluded discourses; and (iii) positionality and local knowledges. Across each analytic strategy, an exemplar from the author’s research is presented to illustrate the practice of engaging with absences and silences in CDA research. Ultimately, this paper contends that the analysis of absences and silences can support researchers in conducting inquiry that enacts resistance to power structures that perpetuate inequities, and envisioning possible paths toward equity and justice.https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251321250 |
| spellingShingle | Allie Slemon Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections |
| title_full | Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections |
| title_fullStr | Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections |
| title_short | Absences and Silences in Critical Discourse Analysis: Methodological Reflections |
| title_sort | absences and silences in critical discourse analysis methodological reflections |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251321250 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT allieslemon absencesandsilencesincriticaldiscourseanalysismethodologicalreflections |