Evaluating Narrative Research
According to Creswell (2012), a narrative research study must be consistent with the criteria for a qualitative study. In a narrative study, the following are guidelines a researcher might consider when evaluating the quality of the study.
- The researcher keeps the focus on one or two individuals
- The study reports on the life experiences of the individual(s) as told through their stories
- The experiences are "restoryed" in a chronology that includes a beginning, middle and end
- The study includes significant amounts of detail on the context of the stories.
- Contains an analysis of the story's themes that emerge. (5-7 themes)
- The researcher collaborates with the participants to verify, contribute and approve of the story as it evolves into a study.