Speech analysis under a Bakhtinian approach: Contributions to research on physics education

[This paper is part of the Focused Collection on Qualitative Methods in PER: A Critical Examination.] Since beginning 21st century, appropriation sociocultural perspective by physics education research community has represented a linguistic turn field, pointing out promising path to overcome dominance “individual paradigm,” both terms student learning and initial continuing teacher training. This approach views science, science education, as human social activities embedded larger institutional contexts, implying significant theoretical importance role interaction context which these interactions occur, viewing them critical better understanding process rather than merely secondary role. In this framework, language plays fundamental mediator action, notably, it main system signs used humankind. Hence, we recognize origin perspectives Lev Vygotsky’s sociohistorical psychology. The neo-Vygotskian James Wertsch proposes “continuity” theory emphasizing one its unexplored assumptions: characterization action an activity mediated instruments. construction philosophy Mikhail Bakhtin Circle becomes crucial. Data discursive nature (oral written speech instructor their pupils, textbooks, or official documents) may be analyzed research, particularly those focusing classroom situations (typically didactic interventions). We employed Bakhtinian analysis avoid text’s objectivist (positivist) stance structural deterministic idea ideological interpellation suggested Althusser endorsed Pêcheux’s discourse analysis. order contribute qualitative technique for data analysis, explain Circle’s translate into possible methodologies education. suggest “analytical trajectory” based arrangement interpretation under Bakhtin’s metalinguistic. Finally, exemplify use analytical trajectory our group’s works.Received 2 January 2023Accepted 1 May 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.010141Published American Physical Society Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution work must maintain attribution author(s) published article’s title, journal citation, DOI.Published SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasLearning theoryResearch methodologyPhysics Education Research