Extending the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme in Studies of Argument Quality in Group Deliberations

Abstract

The Conversational Argument Coding Scheme (CACS) has not only enabled a considerable amount of research involving interpersonal and group argument, but it also has been modified and extended as an outgrowth of researchers' use of the coding scheme. That relationship also has been true in group argument research conducted by Structuration Argument Theory investigators, especially in their line of work on the quality of arguments in group deliberations. We review the links between SAT and the CACS, focusing specifically on two CACS-based indices of argument quality: the Argument Quality Development Index (consistent with SAT) and the Argument Quality Strength/Force Index (representative of more traditional approaches to argument). After reviewing three recent SAT studies of argument quality in groups, we address potential contributions and directions for future research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors wish to thank Mark Aakhus, Dennis S. Gouran, Renee A. Meyers, and an anonymous CMM reviewer for their helpful feedback on earlier versions of this paper.