How Should We Interpret Silence in Qualitative Communication Studies?

Naíde Müller (), Patrícia Tavares () and João Simão ()
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Naíde Müller: Research Centre for Communication and Culture, Catholic University of Portugal, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal
Patrícia Tavares: Research Centre for Communication and Culture, Catholic University of Portugal, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal
João Simão: Research Centre for Communication and Culture, Catholic University of Portugal, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Through an interdisciplinary literature review, based on empirical evidence, this research approaches different ways of interpreting silence(s) in three qualitative research methods—ethnography, focus groups and interviews—which, by their nature, are conducive to practices that resort to silence as units of meaning. The findings presented in this paper demonstrate how, in different data collection techniques, it is possible to rethink not only the whole conception of what silence is but also what silence can (or cannot) help to express. From a qualitative perspective in the social sciences and humanities, silence can in itself be a means of expression and a valid communication resource.

Keywords: qualitative research; silence; interaction; interpretation; communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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