Visualization of Changes in Discussion Structure by Conversation Analysis of Minutes of Public Decision-Making Process

Abstract

In this study, we tried to visualize and understand the structure of the discussion by applying the method of conversation analysis to the minutes of the public decision-making process. As a result of analyzing the minutes of the Yodo River Watershed Committee, it was possible to clarify the transition of the discussion structure in the committee; the committee's discussions began with sharing information, recognition, and opinions among the committee members, followed by more questions and answers, and especially in the middle of the committee, these direct exchanges increased, and the question and answer session continued to be active toward the end of the committee, and the discussion proceeded while summarizing the remarks and carefully checking the contents.