Doing Discourse Research

Published by SAGE in 2012, Doing Discourse Research emerged as a response to the growing academic need for practical, step-by-step methodologies in the field of sociology. Reiner Keller, a prominent scholar in the sociology of knowledge, sought to bridge the gap between abstract discourse theory and the rigorous requirements of empirical research. The book was developed to provide students and researchers with a structured approach to the sociology of knowledge approach to discourse (SKAD), a framework Keller adapted from the work of Michel Foucault and Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann.

The design of the text is purposefully pedagogical, emphasizing the application of research methods rather than just theoretical exposition. Keller’s intent was to demystify the analytical process, offering clear guidance on data collection, coding, and interpretation in a way that respects the complexity of discourse analysis. Upon its release, the volume was well received by the academic community, particularly within European sociology departments, where it is frequently utilized as a core textbook for teaching qualitative research techniques and fostering systematic inquiry.