Quality in conversation analysis and interpersonal process recall

The article demonstrates two parallel yet interlinked accounts on quality: in conversation analysis (CA) and in interpersonal process recall (IPR). We illustrate our argument with data coming from couple therapy. CA was used to examine asymmetry in the therapist’s affiliation with the two spouses, whilst IPR offered means to explore the therapist’s subjective experience and cognitive processes related to these events. By comparing and contrasting two approaches, the quality-related concerns in each of them are discussed. Furthermore, the analysis shows that using these two methods in parallel, in investigating the same data, can enhance the overall quality of research.