Coding and Data Analysis
Part 1 Coding Scheme
Prior to setting out to code non verbal languages, several reasons need to be considered such as deciding what movement to code and how to code them. Unlike verbal languages, non verbal languages cannot be translated directly. A word has a specific and defined meaning that always and for everyone who knows the word represents that meaning. On the other hand, non verbal languages can be interpreted differently between cultures. For instance, one could nod to signal yes to a question or nod as a one of the listeners responses to the speaker. The latter does not indicate assent but only that the listener is following the comments of the speaker.
The non verbal behaviors displayed between the interviewer and the interviewee are measured through the following: gestures including head movements (nodding yes, shaking no, side tilting), body movements (general hand movements and various hand movements), facial expressions (eye contact, indirect ye contact, blinking, smiling, raising eyebrow and looking down) and paralinguistic (vocal elements such as tone, pitch, loudness, verbal backchannel behavior (hmmm, hmmm, yes, yes). The hand movements will be distinguished in respect to what is touched (own body or objects) and their intensity (low and high intensity movements). Hand movements that support speech will also be recorded.
The coding method for non verbal language will be used to analyze the interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee during the administration of the interview. This method will involve the systematic application of codes to behaviors displayed during the question and answer process. The behaviors relative to speaking and listening of the interacting persons will also be analyzed. The frequencies and duration of each type of the above behaviors will be studied during the speaking turn of the person and the same variables during their listening turn.
One of the ubiquitous characteristics of non verbal cues is their capacity to take on different meanings. That is, given the schema of communicators and the cultural environment to which the behavior occur, most non verbal cues may be interpreted in more than one way. The issue of encoding and decoding non verbal behavior for the purpose of conveying information involves not just the code but also the concept of intention. In verbal communication there is a deliberate attempt to send a message while the notion of intention is less clear in non verbal communication. (1969) distinguished between idiosyncratic and shared meaning of behaviors with the former referring to behavior distinct to a single individual and the latter behavior whose meaning is common to a set of persons (as cited in Harridan et al, 2005, p.140). It is not the action itself which is idiosyncratic or shared but the meaning attributed to it. With this, certain attributions will be given to the specific behaviors displayed.
· To assess the degree to which the person exhibits nervousness, the coding scheme for the videotaped interview considers the following behaviors: excessive smiling, playing with the hair or face or hands, rocking back and forth, side tilting, rigid posture, verbal back channel behavior, indirect eye contact and frequent blinking.
· To assess the degree to which the person exhibits assertiveness, the coding scheme consider the following behaviors; firm, authoritative voice, speaking clearly and deliberately, the rate of speech conveying confidence, direct eye contact, serious facial expression and body posture
· To assess the degree to which the person exhibits attentiveness, the coding scheme will consider the following behavior: eye contact, serious facial expression and nodding.
· To assess the degree to which the person exhibits uncertainty or lack of confidence, the coding scheme will consider the following behaviors: blinking, hand movements, side tilting, and raising eyebrow.
Part 2 Data Presentation
The non verbal languages displayed and their frequencies are recorded after the end of each question including follow up questions.
Duration: 0’- 0’38”
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding
Shaking
Side Tilting
1
1
2
1
Body Movements
Hand movements
1
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact Blinking
Smiling
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
Low
Low
1
Low
Moderate
Duration 0’39”- 2’00”
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding
Shaking
Side Tilting
2
2
1
Body Movements
Hand movements
1
2
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact Blinking
Smiling
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
2
1
2
1
1
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
Low
Low
3
Low
Low
Duration 2’01”- 3’35”
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding
Shaking
Side Tilting
2
2
3
Body Movements
Hand movements
2
1
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact
Blinking
Smiling
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
1
1
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
Low
Low
1
Moderate
Moderate
Duration 3’36”- 5’31”
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding
Shaking
Side Tilting
1
Body Movements
Hand movements
2
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact
Blinking
Smiling
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
2
2
1
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
1
Low
5’32”-7’31
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding
Shaking
Side Tilting
1
1
2
1
Body Movements
Hand movements
2
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact
Blinking
Smiling
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
1
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
low
Moderate
TOTAL OF NON VERBAL LANGUAGES RECORDED DURING THE INTERVIEW
Non Verbal Language
Interviewer
Interviewee
Gestures
Nodding to say yes/to agree
Shaking to say no
Side Tilting
6
5
1
6
3
2
Body Movements
Hand movements
3
3
Facial Expression
Eye contact
Indirect Eye Contact
Blinking
Raising Eyebrow
Looking down
Smiling
Serious Facial Expression
Consistent
4
Inconsistent
3
6
4
3
2
1
Consistent
Paralinguistic
Verbal back channel behavior
Tone
Loudness
Pitch
Consistently Low
6
Varies from Low to Moderate
Part 3 Data Analysis
Based on the collected data, the interviewer ahs consistently elicited confidence and assertiveness throughout the duration of the interview. The number of non verbal body languages displayed is limited to nodding to say yes or express approval, shaking to say no, side tilting, hand movement to support speech, smiling and consistent eye contact. The paralinguistic which characterizes the verbal elements including, to0ne loudness and pitch is also consistently low.
Of the observed non verbal language, nodding has shown to have the greatest frequencies next to shaking of head while eye contact is consistent all throughout the interview. This shows the high degree of attentiveness on the part of the interviewer. The frequent hand movements are displayed whenever the interviewer tries to explain or clarify something to the interviewee. Thus, this non verbal language also serves as a means of expressing herself in a better way. The number of non verbal languages is limited primarily due to the need to listen more rather than to speak. Aside from this, the interviewer leads and controls the interview as she is the one throwing the questions. The fact that the interviewee is a child also made the setting more comfortable to the interviewer.
As compared to the interviewer, the interviewee has displayed greater non verbal languages. This can be attributed to the uncomfortable feeling of the interviewee due to the authoritative stance of the interviewer. All of the non verbal languages listed are displayed by the interviewee. The most frequent of which are nodding (to say yes or express approval/agreement), indirect eye contacts and verbal back channel behavior. The frequency of indirect eye contact coupled by frequent blinking and verbal back channel behavior illustrates the nervousness, uncertainty and lack of confidence on the part of the interviewee. Moreover, other less frequent non verbal languages displayed by the interviewee including raising the eyebrow, looking down and side tilting are attributed to the same reasons.
Such behavior can be caused by the uncomfortable feeling of the interviewee. Nonetheless, a degree of assertiveness was manifested through the changes in loudness and tone when answering certain questions. Also, the interviewee managed to keep eye contacts at some point of the interview. The seriousness of facial expression, nodding and eye contacts also proves the attentiveness of the interviewer. Hand movements are also used to support verbal messages and express oneself better.
Part 4 Qualitative Approach
The data are not inherently quantitative and do not necessarily have to be expressed in numbers. At some instances, frequency distributions and tables need not be used. This means presenting the data in form of words or images. For instance, ethnography can be used to establish the hidden inferences that distinguish a wink and a nod in any given culture. This involves observation and note taking. These notes will contain the detailed descriptions of everything that transpired.
As such there would be no attempt to summarize, generalize or hypothesize. The notes would capture factual description to allow multiple interpretations that will later be inferred to particular meaning. A coding procedure which is much like a content analysis can be used for this purpose. Beyond the statistical analysis of the data, the qualitative evaluation will reveal the dominant non verbal languages displayed by the interviewer and the interviewee and their predicted function or meaning in the given communication context.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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