A spectrum of speech codes: review of thirty years of empirical research for methodological insights

This qualitative methodological review documents and analyzes thirty years of published empirical research using Speech Codes Theory (SCT). Ninety-four publications were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Nearly half of the studies used participant observation/ethnography, but other data such as media and non-observational methods were also utilized. Over half of the studies culminated in a speech code. Speech codes occur with various levels of abstraction although most studies are quite localized and specific. Findings highlight the need to clarify the conditions of what counts as/distinguishes a speech code as well as making explicit the interpretive moves made by scholars. This review demonstrates the utility of SCT and also provides a list of possibilities to help newer scholars interested in using SCT.