Understanding Narrative Inquiry: The Crafting and Analysis of Stories as Research

by Jeong-Hee Kim

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483324692
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/03/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jeong-Hee Kim is a Professor of Curriculum Studies in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University. Kim is a curriculum theorist, teacher educator, and narrative inquiry methodologist. Her research centers on various epistemological underpinnings of curriculum studies, focusing on phenomenological and hermeneutical ways of understanding the field of curriculum studies and teacher education. She has received two awards—Outstanding Narrative Research Article in 2007 and Outstanding Narrative Theory Article in 2009—from the Narrative Research (Special Interest Group) at the American Educational Research Association (AERA). She has also received the Faculty Excellence in Research/Creative Activities Award from the College of Education at Kansas State University in 2011. Her recent publications can be found in the Journal of Curriculum Studies, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, and Educational Philosophy and Theory. She currently teaches graduate courses on curriculum theory, narrative inquiry, and action research in education.

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

Editorial Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Publisher