Qualitative_data_analysis

72 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
Figure 5.1 Deriving hypotheses about humour from the literature
central issues for the analysis? From the various questions we address and resources
we can call upon, we need to select those which look most promising. We have to
consider what we can hope to accomplish in the time available. We also need to
consider whether our main themes can be related, to produce a reasonably concise
and coherent analysis.
Keeping with our example of humour, let us briefly consider some general themes
for analysis, and how these might be related.
Even a cursory glance through the literature is enough to indicate the crucial role
attributed to incongruity in humour. Incongruity can be achieved through a variety
of techniques, such as exaggeration, puns, or the unexpected transposition of
characters or situations. Incongruity involves a disruption of expectations: a
situation is suddenly not what it seemed. We can recognize incongruity in Victoria’s
exaggerations about the tarmac and the phone calls. Incongruity is also the stuff of
everyday jokes, for example in stock question- and- answer routines where
misunderstanding produces an unexpected reply.