Narrative Research

What is Narrative Research?

Narrative research is a term that subsumes a
group of approaches that in turn rely on the
written or spoken words or visual
representation of individuals. These
approaches typically focus on the lives iof the
individuals as told through thier own stories.
The emphasis insuch approaches is on the
story, typically both what and how is narrated
Narrative research can be considered both a research
method in itself but also the phenomenon under study.
Narrative methods can be considered “real world
measures” that are appropriate when “real life
probles” are investgated. In a basic linear approach,
they encompass the study of the experiences of a
single individual embracing stories on the life and
exploring the learned significance of those individual
experiences. However in most cases one will be
creating an aggregate of narratives each bearing on the
others.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Narrative analysis reasearch involves collecting
descriptions of events, usually through
observations and interviews. Use this approach
when your purpose is to synthesize descriptive
data to produce a story – also known as
restorying. Your story shows and tells the
outcome of the research by narrative how and
why something happens. For Instance, a
researcher might use this approach to study
adolescent drug use in school, explain why it
happens and show how a teacher confronts and
deals with this problem.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Analysis of narrative projects uses research to find and
state themes that reveal general knowledge. For
example, you might use this approach to study the
effectiveness of certain types of learning environments
or to find common themes surrounding teenage
pregnancy. One strategy you can use to collect
narratives, analyze and look for motifs – patterns of
behaviour and descriptions, keywords and emotional
experiences that are common to all the stories you
collect. A theme might show that one-on-one teaching
helps students learn faster than technology based
systems.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Interviews and “restorying”
Record interviews for transcription, takes notes and
observe while the participant tells stories in a casual,
unstructured manner. Note nuances such as anger or
sadness, confusion, laughter. Condense transcription
data annotate key elements such as coping
mechanisms or individual who establish
communications to solve a problem. Organize the story
into chronological order using the same techniques
storytelles use: settings, characters, actions, conflicts
and resolutions. Invite participant to collaborate on the
final version.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Oral History and Journals
Interview participants in a stuctured way with
predetermined questions or construct a
timeline. Ask the participant to expand on
significant events and to later write
descriptions in a journal. Next, combine
chronological data and journal entries to form
a complete oral history which includes all
narrative data.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Collecting Background Narratives
Ask your participants to write an autobiography
with background information that shows why and
how they engage with life experiences in a certain
way. Collect written description of personal and
family photographs and discuss the contents of
memory boxes. Use this research to formulate
approaches to interview questions and
techniques and to find ways to structure
observations.
 Types of Narratives Research
• Storytelling, Letter Writing and E-mails
Ask participants to share thoughts and stories as
an ongoing process on the field, before and
after event such as a class or particular activity
related to the research study. During
conversations on the field,