Understanding Narrative Inquiry

The Crafting and Analysis of Stories as Research
Jeong-Hee Kim - Texas Tech University, USA
Understanding Narrative Inquiry
March 2015 | 368 pages | Sage US
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Description

This comprehensive, thought-provoking introduction to narrative inquiry in the social and human sciences guides readers through the entire narrative inquiry process—from locating narrative inquiry in the interdisciplinary context, through the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, to narrative research design, data collection (excavating stories), data analysis and interpretation, and theorizing narrative meaning. Six extracts from exemplary studies, together with questions for discussion, are provided to show how to put theory into practice. Rich in stories from the author's own research endeavors and incorporating chapter-opening vignettes that illustrate a graduate student's research dilemma, the book not only accompanies readers through the complex process of narrative inquiry with ample examples, but also helps raise their consciousness about what it means to be a qualitative researcher and a narrative inquirer in particular. 

This book has received the 2017 Outstanding Publication Award from the Narrative Research Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The award honors research-based texts dedicated to advancing the educational process through research or scholarly inquiry.



Contents

1. Locating Narrative Inquiry in the Interdisciplinary Context

  • Scientific Research and Qualitative Research in Tandem
  • Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry in Different Disciplines
  • Some Cautionary Tales About Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry as the Synergy of Interdisciplinarity
  • Learning to be a Storyteller in the Interdisciplinary Context
  • Conclusion: A Falling Apple

2. Philosophical/Theoretical Underpinnings of Narrative Inquiry

  • The Role of Theory
  • Philosophical/Theoretical/Interpretive Paradigm
  • Theory and Narrative Inquiry
  • Critical Theory
  • Critical Race Theory
  • Feminist Theory
  • Phenomenology
  • Poststructuralism/Postmodernism/Deconstruction
  • Dewey's Theory of Experience
  • Bakhtin's Theory of Novelness
  • Conclusion: No Theory Used as a Procrustean Bed

3. Narrative Research Design: Engaging in Aesthetic Play

  • Engaging in Aesthetic Play
  • Standards for Humanities-Oriented Research
  • Learning to Think Narratively
  • Plowing Before Sowing: On Reviewing the Literature
  • Developing "Good" Research Questions
  • Imagining the Researcher-Participant Relationship: From "Spy" to "Friend"
  • Ethical Issues in Narrative Inquiry
  • Qualitative Writing vs. Scientific Writing
  • Imagining Narrative Writing as Aesthetic Play
  • Conclusion: Where Your Heart Belongs

4. Narrative Research Genres: Meditating Stories Into Being

  • Narrative Inquirer as a Midwife
  • Narrative Research Genres
  • Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Biographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Arts-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Literary-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Visual-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Conclusion: Blurring Genres

5. Narrative Data Collection Methods: Excavating Stories

  • Narrative Thinking
  • Interview Logistics
  • Types of Qualitative Interview
  • Narrative Interviewing
  • Fieldwork
  • Artifacts: Cabinets of Curiosities or Cabinets of Wonder
  • Visual Data
  • Digital Archival Data
  • Conclusion: Excavating Stories as Data

6. Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation: "Flirting" With Data

  • On Flirtation
  • Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Theorizing Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Methods of Narrative Data Analysis
  • Narrative Analysis in Narrative Genres
  • Conclusion: Variegations of Narrative Analysis and Interpretation

7. Narrative Coda: Theorizing Narrative Meaning

  • On Coda
  • Researching Signature
  • Answering the Question "So What?"
  • Desiring and Audience
  • Avoiding an Epic Closure
  • Theorizing Findings
  • Planting the Seed for Social Justice
  • Becoming a Scheherazade
  • Conclusion: Ongoing Stories

8. Critical Issues in Narrative Inquiry: Looking Into a Kaleidoscope

  • Looking into a Kaleidoscope
  • Contradicting Stories: The Rashomon Effect
  • Temptation of Backyard Research
  • On Reflexivity
  • On Bricolage and Bricoleur
  • On "Small" Stories
  • Storytelling as Performance
  • Conclusion: Pushing the Boundary of Narrative Inquiry

9. Examples of Narrative Inquiry: Theory Into Practice

  • Narrative Inquiry as Phenomenon and Method
  • Narrative Inquiry as Oral History
  • Narrative Inquiry as Life Story
  • Narrative Inquiry as Autoethnography
  • Narrative Inquiry as Creative Fiction
  • Narrative Inquiry as Fiction
  • Conclusion: Learning to be a Storyteller

10. Epilogue

10. Epilogue

Additional materials

Description

This comprehensive, thought-provoking introduction to narrative inquiry in the social and human sciences guides readers through the entire narrative inquiry process—from locating narrative inquiry in the interdisciplinary context, through the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, to narrative research design, data collection (excavating stories), data analysis and interpretation, and theorizing narrative meaning. Six extracts from exemplary studies, together with questions for discussion, are provided to show how to put theory into practice. Rich in stories from the author's own research endeavors and incorporating chapter-opening vignettes that illustrate a graduate student's research dilemma, the book not only accompanies readers through the complex process of narrative inquiry with ample examples, but also helps raise their consciousness about what it means to be a qualitative researcher and a narrative inquirer in particular. 

This book has received the 2017 Outstanding Publication Award from the Narrative Research Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The award honors research-based texts dedicated to advancing the educational process through research or scholarly inquiry.



Contents

1. Locating Narrative Inquiry in the Interdisciplinary Context

  • Scientific Research and Qualitative Research in Tandem
  • Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry in Different Disciplines
  • Some Cautionary Tales About Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry as the Synergy of Interdisciplinarity
  • Learning to be a Storyteller in the Interdisciplinary Context
  • Conclusion: A Falling Apple

2. Philosophical/Theoretical Underpinnings of Narrative Inquiry

  • The Role of Theory
  • Philosophical/Theoretical/Interpretive Paradigm
  • Theory and Narrative Inquiry
  • Critical Theory
  • Critical Race Theory
  • Feminist Theory
  • Phenomenology
  • Poststructuralism/Postmodernism/Deconstruction
  • Dewey's Theory of Experience
  • Bakhtin's Theory of Novelness
  • Conclusion: No Theory Used as a Procrustean Bed

3. Narrative Research Design: Engaging in Aesthetic Play

  • Engaging in Aesthetic Play
  • Standards for Humanities-Oriented Research
  • Learning to Think Narratively
  • Plowing Before Sowing: On Reviewing the Literature
  • Developing "Good" Research Questions
  • Imagining the Researcher-Participant Relationship: From "Spy" to "Friend"
  • Ethical Issues in Narrative Inquiry
  • Qualitative Writing vs. Scientific Writing
  • Imagining Narrative Writing as Aesthetic Play
  • Conclusion: Where Your Heart Belongs

4. Narrative Research Genres: Meditating Stories Into Being

  • Narrative Inquirer as a Midwife
  • Narrative Research Genres
  • Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Biographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Arts-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Literary-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Visual-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Conclusion: Blurring Genres

5. Narrative Data Collection Methods: Excavating Stories

  • Narrative Thinking
  • Interview Logistics
  • Types of Qualitative Interview
  • Narrative Interviewing
  • Fieldwork
  • Artifacts: Cabinets of Curiosities or Cabinets of Wonder
  • Visual Data
  • Digital Archival Data
  • Conclusion: Excavating Stories as Data

6. Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation: "Flirting" With Data

  • On Flirtation
  • Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Theorizing Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Methods of Narrative Data Analysis
  • Narrative Analysis in Narrative Genres
  • Conclusion: Variegations of Narrative Analysis and Interpretation

7. Narrative Coda: Theorizing Narrative Meaning

  • On Coda
  • Researching Signature
  • Answering the Question "So What?"
  • Desiring and Audience
  • Avoiding an Epic Closure
  • Theorizing Findings
  • Planting the Seed for Social Justice
  • Becoming a Scheherazade
  • Conclusion: Ongoing Stories

8. Critical Issues in Narrative Inquiry: Looking Into a Kaleidoscope

  • Looking into a Kaleidoscope
  • Contradicting Stories: The Rashomon Effect
  • Temptation of Backyard Research
  • On Reflexivity
  • On Bricolage and Bricoleur
  • On "Small" Stories
  • Storytelling as Performance
  • Conclusion: Pushing the Boundary of Narrative Inquiry

9. Examples of Narrative Inquiry: Theory Into Practice

  • Narrative Inquiry as Phenomenon and Method
  • Narrative Inquiry as Oral History
  • Narrative Inquiry as Life Story
  • Narrative Inquiry as Autoethnography
  • Narrative Inquiry as Creative Fiction
  • Narrative Inquiry as Fiction
  • Conclusion: Learning to be a Storyteller

10. Epilogue

10. Epilogue

Additional materials

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Understanding Narrative Inquiry

The Crafting and Analysis of Stories as Research

Jeong-Hee Kim
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March 2015 | 368 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

This comprehensive, thought-provoking introduction to narrative inquiry in the social and human sciences guides readers through the entire narrative inquiry process—from locating narrative inquiry in the interdisciplinary context, through the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, to narrative research design, data collection (excavating stories), data analysis and interpretation, and theorizing narrative meaning. Six extracts from exemplary studies, together with questions for discussion, are provided to show how to put theory into practice. Rich in stories from the author's own research endeavors and incorporating chapter-opening vignettes that illustrate a graduate student's research dilemma, the book not only accompanies readers through the complex process of narrative inquiry with ample examples, but also helps raise their consciousness about what it means to be a qualitative researcher and a narrative inquirer in particular. 

This book has received the 2017 Outstanding Publication Award from the Narrative Research Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The award honors research-based texts dedicated to advancing the educational process through research or scholarly inquiry.




Table Of Contents:

  • 1. Locating Narrative Inquiry in the Interdisciplinary Context
  • Scientific Research and Qualitative Research in Tandem
  • Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry in Different Disciplines
  • Some Cautionary Tales About Narrative Inquiry
  • Narrative Inquiry as the Synergy of Interdisciplinarity
  • Learning to be a Storyteller in the Interdisciplinary Context
  • Conclusion: A Falling Apple
  • 2. Philosophical/Theoretical Underpinnings of Narrative Inquiry
  • The Role of Theory
  • Philosophical/Theoretical/Interpretive Paradigm
  • Theory and Narrative Inquiry
  • Critical Theory
  • Critical Race Theory
  • Feminist Theory
  • Phenomenology
  • Poststructuralism/Postmodernism/Deconstruction
  • Dewey's Theory of Experience
  • Bakhtin's Theory of Novelness
  • Conclusion: No Theory Used as a Procrustean Bed
  • 3. Narrative Research Design: Engaging in Aesthetic Play
  • Engaging in Aesthetic Play
  • Standards for Humanities-Oriented Research
  • Learning to Think Narratively
  • Plowing Before Sowing: On Reviewing the Literature
  • Developing "Good" Research Questions
  • Imagining the Researcher-Participant Relationship: From "Spy" to "Friend"
  • Ethical Issues in Narrative Inquiry
  • Qualitative Writing vs. Scientific Writing
  • Imagining Narrative Writing as Aesthetic Play
  • Conclusion: Where Your Heart Belongs
  • 4. Narrative Research Genres: Meditating Stories Into Being
  • Narrative Inquirer as a Midwife
  • Narrative Research Genres
  • Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Biographical Narrative Inquiry
  • Arts-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Literary-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Visual-Based Narrative Inquiry
  • Conclusion: Blurring Genres
  • 5. Narrative Data Collection Methods: Excavating Stories
  • Narrative Thinking
  • Interview Logistics
  • Types of Qualitative Interview
  • Narrative Interviewing
  • Fieldwork
  • Artifacts: Cabinets of Curiosities or Cabinets of Wonder
  • Visual Data
  • Digital Archival Data
  • Conclusion: Excavating Stories as Data
  • 6. Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation: "Flirting" With Data
  • On Flirtation
  • Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Theorizing Narrative Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Methods of Narrative Data Analysis
  • Narrative Analysis in Narrative Genres
  • Conclusion: Variegations of Narrative Analysis and Interpretation
  • 7. Narrative Coda: Theorizing Narrative Meaning
  • On Coda
  • Researching Signature
  • Answering the Question "So What?"
  • Desiring and Audience
  • Avoiding an Epic Closure
  • Theorizing Findings
  • Planting the Seed for Social Justice
  • Becoming a Scheherazade
  • Conclusion: Ongoing Stories
  • 8. Critical Issues in Narrative Inquiry: Looking Into a Kaleidoscope
  • Looking into a Kaleidoscope
  • Contradicting Stories: The Rashomon Effect
  • Temptation of Backyard Research
  • On Reflexivity
  • On Bricolage and Bricoleur
  • On "Small" Stories
  • Storytelling as Performance
  • Conclusion: Pushing the Boundary of Narrative Inquiry
  • 9. Examples of Narrative Inquiry: Theory Into Practice
  • Narrative Inquiry as Phenomenon and Method
  • Narrative Inquiry as Oral History
  • Narrative Inquiry as Life Story
  • Narrative Inquiry as Autoethnography
  • Narrative Inquiry as Creative Fiction
  • Narrative Inquiry as Fiction
  • Conclusion: Learning to be a Storyteller
  • 10. Epilogue

Recent Product Reviews:

This is a thorough and inclusive book that can serve as an excellent introduction to narrative forms of qualitative research in the fields of education, medicine, psychology, and legal studies. But Understanding Narrative Inquiry may also serve to extend the knowledge of researchers and practitioners in those fields who are already familiar with this rapidly maturing inquiry approach. Extremely well researched and referenced, it deftly addresses sophisticated theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of narrative research, including the rationales and justifications for engaging in both storytelling and the analysis of stories. And it also explores a wide variety of helpful strategies for interviewing, fieldwork, and writing. But just as importantly, it grounds and humanizes its sophisticated scholarship through an inviting, conversational style replete with personal anecdotes, while its many concrete examples of research practice in action further enhances its usefulness. A remarkable achievement.
Tom Barone, Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University
This is an outstanding text on narrative inquiry. Kim offers the historical and philosophical context for narrative research, ample methodological instruction, and robust examples, making this a truly comprehensive text. I am particularly impressed with her attention to the different genres of narrative including arts-based and visual-based. This is a must-read for anyone interested in narrative research.
Patricia Leavy, Independent Scholar and Author of Methods Meets Art: Arts-Based Research Practice
Jeong-Hee Kim masterfully positions readers to enter the storied fabric of human life through the medium of narrative inquiry. Readers across all disciplines and interests will find themselves locating and articulating the textured significances of stories as research. Philosophical/theoretical connections substantively frame and permeate the text with readers importantly gaining context, language, and capacities to design and undertake fitting narrative inquiries. The concrete examples depicting a cross section of genres and the inclusion of a glossary make this comprehensive text an invaluable resource for all interested in crafting and analysis of research through narrative inquiry.
Margaret Macintyre Latta, Professor and Director, Centre for Mindful Engagement and Graduate Programs, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Canada
This text offers novice and practicing scholars of narrative inquiry provocative philosophical and methodological insights. The text is beautifully written and draws on art, music, religion, philosophy, and literature to inform researchers’ understandings.
Mary Louise Gomez, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The author’s use of a conversational tone—as if she is talking directly to her students—while guiding the reader through complex theoretical material is noteworthy, as are the expertly designed “Questions for Reflection” and the “Activities” sections at the end of each chapter. This text will be of interest to anyone teaching Qualitative Research Methods looking for ways to engage their graduate students.
Thalia M. Mulvihill, Ball State University

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