Coincidence by design

Germaine Stockbridge; Robin Wooffitt

doi:10.1177/1468794118773238

Coincidence by design

Germaine Stockbridge, Robin Wooffitt

Department of Sociology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In this paper we develop an approach to coincidences as discursive activities. To illustrate the range of empirical questions that can be explored in the analysis of coincidence accounts, we examine one single written account, which was submitted to a website of a research project to investigate the statistical dimensions of coincidence experiences. Our analysis is broadly ethnomethodological in that we examine this single case to identify how structural and narrative components work to constitute the recognizably coincidental quality of the events so described. The analysis identifies a mirror structure that resembles chiasmus, a figurative device found in classical texts. The analysis also describes how the account is designed to address inferential matters related to the site to which it was submitted. In the discussion we reflect on the implications of this approach for other approaches to coincidence

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-18
Number of pages	18
Journal	Qualitative Research
Early online date	4 May 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794118773238
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 4 May 2018

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2018. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details.

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10.1177/1468794118773238

Coincidence by Design
© The Author(s) 2018. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details. .
Accepted author manuscript, 138 KB

Robin Wooffitt
- Department of Sociology - Professor
Person: Academic

Cite this

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Coincidence by design

Abstract

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Robin Wooffitt

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