QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

METHODS
NARRATIVE INQUIRY
The Background of Narrative Inquiry
Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, research in the social sciences has taken a
narrative turn to studying experience (Pinnegar & Daynes, 2007).
There is a history of narrative work within traditions of narratology (the theory and
study of narrative) and narrative research.
Connelly and Cannilin (1990) described this research methodology as narrative
inquiry.
Reissman and Speedy (2007) pointed out that “narrative inquiry in the human
sciences is a twentieth-century development; the field has ‘realist,’ ‘postmodern,’
and constructionist strands, and scholars and practitioners disagree on origin and
precise definition” (p. 429).
Fundamentals of narrative inquiry
Roots in Phenomenology and Hermeneutics

Focus on the exploration of individuals' subjective experiences and the interpretation of those experiences within their
social and cultural contexts.

Shift from Positivism to Constructivism

Moving from positivist research paradigms to embracing a constructivist perspective, acknowledging that individuals
construct their realities through the stories they tell.

Focus on Stories and Narratives

Human experiences are best understood and communicated through stories.

Collect and analyze stories or narratives, recognizing them as fundamental to meaning-making and sense of self.
Multiple Realities and Perspectives

Multiple interpretations of reality

Individuals may perceive and recount their experiences in diverse ways

Values the coexistence of different perspectives and encourages the exploration of these diverse viewpoints.

Contextualization of Stories

Understanding stories within their cultural, social, and historical contexts

Uncover the layers of meaning embedded in narratives

Considering the broader context in which they are situated

Influence of Postmodernism

Encourages a more decentralized, diverse understanding of knowledge and truth

Diverse Applications

Applications in various fields: psychology, education, sociology, healthcare

This approach is used to explore and understand a wide range of phenomena, from personal identity to cultural practices.
Types of Narrative Research
According to Creswell (1995), narrative research can be categorised into the
following:
Who authored the account?
Scope of narrative
Who provides the story?
Theoretical/conceptual framework
The elements - included in one narrative or more
Types of narrative designs
Autobiography

Biography

Personal Accounts

Personal Narratives

Narrative Interviews

Personal Documents
Procedures in narrative inquiry
1) Identify a problem or phenomenon to explore

Provides purpose for the study

Enables the researcher to understand personal or social experiences of an individual(s)

1) Select one or more participants in the study

Many narrative studies examine only one individual

Several individuals may be studied as well

Select an individual(s) who can provide an understanding of the issue based on their experiences

1) Collect the story from that participant

Besides verbally sharing their story through conversations or interviews, field texts also provide information about the
participant.

Examples: journal or diary entries, letters sent by the individual, photographs, memory boxes, and stories acquired
through friends or family members.
4) Retell the individuals story

This step involves examining the raw data, identifying key elements, organizing and sequencing these elements, and then
retelling a story that describes the individual’s experiences.

Restorying helps the reader to understand the story by sequencing it in a logical order.

5) Collaborate with the participants or story teller

The researcher works with the storyteller to ensure the participant’s experiences are accurately portrayed.

6) Write the story about the participants experiences

The participant’s life experiences are written into a story by the researcher.

Highlighting specific themes that emerged throughout the story

7) Validate the reports’ accuracy

An accurate report is essential to preserving the story

Conferring with individuals and searching for disconfirming evidence will protect the story’s credibility.
Instrumentation in narrative inquiry
The researcher id the primary instrument

In-depth, semi-structured interviews are common.

Because of the rigor that is required for a narrative inquiry study, it is recommended more than two interviews with the
same participant be conducted.

The primary interview and a follow-up interview to address any additional questions that may arise from the interview
transcriptions and/or member checking.
Data analysis in narrative inquiry
1) Thematic Analysis

Examine comprehensively recurrent patterns or themes within textual or visual data

Unveil inherent meanings and to get a better comprehension of the studied individual narratives

1) Structural Analysis

An excellent way to examine the overall elements of a story, such as plot, characters, and sequencing.

1) Content Analysis

A similar approach to thematic analysis, but it examines and categorizes the presence of specific elements like
words or themes quantitatively. It is also a systematic way to identify patterns to understand narrative content
implications.
4. Performance Analysis

Focuses on how narratives are presented or how they are performed.

It is a critical analysis to reveal elements such as pacing, tone, and delivery in individual stories.

It helps to understand nuances of the same narrative told by different individuals.

5. Dialogical Analysis

This analysis focuses on dialogues and interactions within narratives.

It is used to examine the meanings and perspectives of individuals and how different voices can contribute to the

narrative.

6. Contextual Analysis

Explore broader perspectives surrounding narratives, such as social, historical, or cultural context.

Understand insights of the cultural influences that lie beneath the essence of stories.
7. Narrative Interviews

Engaging in extensive discussions with participants to analyze their mixed personal experiences.

Helps to understand the context and depth of the conversation or experience.

Ethical Considerations
● Informed Consent

Ensuring participants are fully informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate.

● Confidentiality

Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants, especially when sharing personal stories.

Ensuring that participants' stories are ethically and respectfully represented in the final report.

Researcher Reflection

Acknowledging and addressing the researcher's influence on the study. Researchers reflect on their own
perspectives and biases.
Validation of the study
Member Checking

Returning findings to participants for verification and validation.

This ensures that the researcher's interpretation aligns with participants' intended meanings.

Rigor in Interpretation
Triangulation - using multiple data sources or researchers to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings.

Iterative Process
Continuous Refinement - refining their approach based on ongoing analysis and insights.
Presentation of findings
● Narrative Form

Researchers often present findings in narrative form to maintain the richness and complexity of participants' stories

Quotes and Excerpts

Including direct quotes and excerpts from participants' narratives to provide authenticity.