The Discussion Coding System (DCS)—A New Instrument for Analyzing Communication Processes

Abstract

The Discussion Coding System (DCS) is a new instrument for coding face-to-face communication processes. The DCS was developed with several goals in mind: a well-grounded theoretical background, economical coding, the inclusion of nonverbal behavior into the coding, the ability to code different sized groups engaged in a variety of task types, and high ease of use. Important aspects of communication behavior are covered: the directly observable aspects of who speaks to whom, the functions of a statement for the interaction process, and the interpersonal meaning of an act on the two basic behavioral dimensions of affiliation and dominance. Furthermore, coding software was developed that greatly enhances the efficiency of coding as well as the creation of data files. The reliabilities are strong if video is used. The reliabilities for real-time coding are considerably lower but still satisfactory if special measures are taken. The validity of the DCS was established in several studies.

Notes

¹Such an apology probably would have been categorized in the IPA as socio-emotional positive, 2: “shows tension release” but the real interpersonal, nonverbal meaning could not be specified.

²In order to obtain a measure for the depth of information elaboration, Meyer and Schermuly (2011) followed the principles outlined in Homan et al. (2007). Each content statement received an elaboration score of 1. If other group members reacted to it, but then the group still failed to ask questions about it or integrate it with other information, the act received a score of 2. A score of 3 was given if a statement was a reaction to a previous statement, indicating that it had been processed, either by asking a question about it, by drawing a conclusion from it, or by combining it with another piece of information.