The Perils Unveiled: Discourse on Cancer; A CDA of Research Articles and Medical Associations

Abstract

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is an interdisciplinary approach to studying the relationship between language, power, and society. The study discussed the medical discourse in research journals and associations in their recommendation sections for prescribing diets for cancer patients. A total of 10 research articles and 8 associations’ recommendations were made part of this mixed-method research by using the random sampling technique. The research provided discourse analysis of the recommendation sections by applying Van Dijk’s macrostructure model so that discourse could be observed by observing selection, deletion, and generalisation in the research journals and associations.AntConc and Excel were also used for the analysis of data obtained from articles and other web documents. Text from the articles was entered into a notepad file and then AntConc was used to generate a keyword list for the research. Microsoft Excel was used for the analysis of the data and the graphical representation of the data by drawing graphs. The results of the study showed that the discourse was manipulated in journals and associations, but the frequency and intensity of the manipulation varied among journals and associations. The results also provided details about the methods used for manipulating discourse in the recommendations of journals and associations for cancer patients and the reasons for doing so by the responsible organisations.