Key Characteristics of Narrative ResearchNarrative researchers seek to understand the experiences of an individual. The literature review plays a minor role with the inquirer learning about the participant through field texts that document the individual’s story in his or her own words. After data is collected and analyzed, the researcher collaborates with the participant to check the story and may also mix his or her personal story into the final report.
There are seven major charateristics are essential in narrative research: |
3. Collecting Individual Stories
Stories can be acquired throughout various means including interviews, informal observations, conversations, journals, letters, or memory boxes. All are examples of field texts.
4. Restorying
Also known as retelling or remapping. Process of gathering stories, reviewing them for key elements (ex: time, place, plot, and scene), and rewriting the story in a chronological sequence. Other key elements also include the setting, characters, actions, problem, and resolution; they provide the reader background information.
Collaborating with Participants
Occurring THROUGHOUT the research process, the participant and the researcher work together to lessen the gap between the narrative told and the narrative reported.