Silence as Data
A Qualitative Methodological Framework for Analyzing Non-responses in Sociological Interviews
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23311166 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Umar Daraz (0000-0003-2583-6069, University of Malakand), Wasif Khan (0000-0003-2227-3299, Agriculture and Forestry University), Ahmad M Alghraibeh (King Saud University, corresponding author), Zhang Shiyong (Agriculture and Forestry University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-19 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/16094069261468643 |
| OpenAlex | W7171560393 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
Silence is frequently treated as absence or missing data in qualitative interviews; however, such a characterization is neither universal nor uncontested within qualitative research traditions. Sociological theory has long suggested that silence constitutes a meaningful form of social action, yet its systematic integration into qualitative methodology remains limited and uneven. This paper develops a conceptual and methodological framework for analyzing silence in interview-based research, addressing a persistent gap in qualitative methods. Drawing on symbolic interactionism, critical sociology, and moral sociology, the study re-conceptualizes silence as analytically significant, arguing that it reflects not only interactional dynamics but also broader structures of power, moral regulation, and emotional processes. It proposes a typology of silence defensive, strategic, emotional, and politically induced alongside an integrated analytical approach for identifying, coding, and interpreting non-responses. Rather than presenting silence as a residual category, the framework positions it as a central analytical resource within qualitative inquiry. Reflexivity, trustworthiness, and ethical considerations are embedded throughout to ensure interpretive rigor and participant protection. The paper contributes to debates on methodological transparency and epistemological inclusivity, offering a transferable tool for research involving sensitive, marginalized, or high-risk contexts.
Conceptual framework · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Silence · Transparency (behavior) · Typology · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Qualitative Research Methods and Applications · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
The Security of Silence“ or „Tacit Consent“
How to use and assess qualitative research methods
Language and meaning
Power and the conditions of silence
Survey Methodology and Missing Data
Justifying Knowledge, Justifying Method, Taking Action
The reflexive potential of silence
Ethics in qualitative social research on marginalized groups
Snippets and silences
Researching Silence
Silence in context
Missing Data in Sociological Research
Saying something with nothing
Foucault, Power, and Institutions
Silence
How Should We Interpret Silence in Qualitative Communication Studies
Speaking silence
The Less Said, the Better
Reading Between the Lines
The New Sociology of Morality
Emotion and Social Life
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |