Discourse Analysis and the Study of Communication in LIS

A considerable portion of the work that is done in library and information science (LIS) can benefit from discourse analysis as a research method. The two major families of discourse analysis are linguistic-based analysis (such as conversation, which could be applied in any setting where information professionals mediate between the universe of information and information seekers), and culturally or socially based discursive practices (along the lines of the analyses that Michel Foucault has conducted). The potential of both families for LIS inquiry, along with examples of both, are discussed.