Review: Reiner Keller, Andreas Hirseland, Werner Schneider & Willy Viehöver (Eds.) (2006). Handbuch Sozialwissenschaftliche Diskursanalyse. Band I: Theorien und Methoden [Handbook on Discourse Analysis in Social Sciences. Theories and Methods]

Abstract

The handbook gives a general overview of the established—but increasingly complex—theoretical and methodological practice of discourse analysis. The attempt is made to systematize the diversity of discourse analysis, with its different historical roots and fields of research in the social sciences, even though the focus is mainly on FOUCAULT's approach. Thus, the handbook has to be understood as an important step towards a insertion of discourse analysis into social science. Although there are unavoidable contradictions between the articles—almost because of the open theoretical foundations—the handbook characterizes, as a whole, discourse analysis as a heterogeneous strategy of research rather than as a stringent method. With this approach, it can be a helpful guide for the reader’s own research projects. However, if one is looking for a precise method, the investment of time in discourse analysis could be wasted. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0801143