Originally published in 1977. This book focuses on how to do research in the area of face-to-face interaction when studying human social conduct. It covers the methods of data collection and analysis and looks at the efficiency of these. It secondarily considers a model for conceptualising such interactions, drawing together several social science components, especially linguistics, based on the idea that there is an organisational structure at work just as with grammar for language. Overall the book proposes a general conceptual framework for guiding empirical investigation, with emphasis on simultaneous study of a number of acts viewed within each other’s contexts. This is an excellent resource for study on non-verbal communications, describing specific studies as well as offering the clear overview and model for research.

Starkey Duncan, Donald W. Fiske