Is discourse analysis just subjective opinion?
A common concern about discourse analysis is that study findings represent nothing more than researchers opinions. For instance, in the worked example above, how can we know for sure that Mr K has an unstated agenda about the legitimacy of his visit? This interpretation is not arbitrary but is justified by reference to the data and supported by evidence from other sources (for example, literature about inappropriate use of primary care, the rhetorical structure of other consultations and doctors and patients concerns in interviews). Discourse analysts see research findings as socially constructed, for example, products of historical, geographical, economic and other contexts, and influenced by the researchers themselves22 (e.g. disciplinary background, age, gender, ethnicity and so on). Discursive findings are therefore seen as rigorously produced interpretations rather than discoveries .23 Providing detail about study settings, participants and methodologies allows readers to judge cr
