Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences
Case Study & Narrative Analysis
Catherine Kohler Riessman provides a lively overview of qualitative research based on interpreting stories. Designed to improve research practice, it provides detailed discussions of four analytic methods: thematic analysis, structural analysis, dialogic/performance analysis, and visual narrative analysis.
Broad in scope, Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences offers concrete guidance for students and established scholars wanting to join the "narrative turn" in social research.
Key Features
" Offers guidance for interviewing and transcription: The author discusses the move from spoken language to written transcript. In the process, she encourages students to be mindful of the texts they construct from dialogues in an interview study.
" Includes visual approaches to data gathering: Riessman takes narrative research beyond its historic reliance on word-based materials. She discusses exemplary research that integrates images-both those made during the research process and others found in archives.
" Presents arguments about validation in case-based research: The book presents several ways to think about credibility in narrative studies, contextualizing validity in relation to epistemology and theoretical orientation of a study.
Intended Audience
This text is designed as a supplement to qualitative research courses taught in graduate departments across the social and behavioral sciences, and as a core book in narrative research courses. It is also useful for academics wanting to learn more about narrative methods.
While this text is well-written and came highly-recommended, the topic content was not a good fit for an introductory level qualitative class.
A well written book, worthy of recommendation to students studying narrative, but possibly too advanced for a course covering qualitative analysis. However well worth having and I will see if our library will stock it to support studnets
Narrative is currently very much in vogue, often described as 'new'. It is not necessarily new as far as qualitative researchers are concerned, but it can be viewed as such by university students. There is concern that 'stories' are just that - fictions that defy attempts to establish truth. This book is useful in providing a way through the maze of what constitutes 'narrative' research.
In-depth examination of the use of narrative research methods in the human sciences. Essential reading for those interested in undretaking research utilising the narrative approach
This is a really great book and essential reading for anyone doing narrative research. However it's only listed as supplemental reading as narrative research is not a common approach for our students to take in their research studies. For any student undertaking a narrative approach this book is very important.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thorough, well-written, engaging text and will recommend it to students engaging in narrative research projects as well as to interested colleagues
As I have tried to steer the students towards more alternative forms of research, this book has been helpful for students looking at ethnography and narrative. The material on the use of photo and visual material in particular has been especially useful. The chapters on thematic and structural analysis have also been used extensively by students when analysing and discussing their findings.
Classic text, and essential for all undergraduate students using narrative approaches to the human sciences at dissertation level
offering good grounding in the subject area
An engaging text that focuses on four analytical methods, the chapter on visual narrative analysis is particularly interesting. The use of exemplars to illustrate the four methods makes this a valuable resource.