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



March 2015 | 368 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

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.

 
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

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 toneas if she is talking directly to her studentswhile 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

Committee selected a different text

Dr Anton Camarota
College of Management and Technology, Walden University
May 18, 2021

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 4

Chapter 6


Jeong-Hee Kim

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... More About Author

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