Qualitative Research

Narrative research How humans experience their lives How humans experience their lives Storied lives Storied lives Researchers construct a narrative attributing experiences to some meaning Researchers construct a narrative attributing experiences to some meaning

Narrative research Influences in the last 15 years Influences in the last 15 years –Emphasis on teacher reflection –Emphasis on teacher knowledge –Empowering teachers in research process

Narrative research Addresses difficult issues Addresses difficult issues Goal is to increase understanding Goal is to increase understanding Sharing storied lives of teachers to provide insight Sharing storied lives of teachers to provide insight Some believe numbers cannot represent this understanding and insight Some believe numbers cannot represent this understanding and insight

Narrative research process Identify purpose and phenomenon to explore Identify purpose and phenomenon to explore Select an individual to learn from Select an individual to learn from Pose initial narrative questions Pose initial narrative questions Describe researcher’s role Describe researcher’s role

Narrative research process Describe data collection methods Describe data collection methods Describe strategies for analysis and interpretation of data Describe strategies for analysis and interpretation of data Collaborate with participant to write the narrative – validate accuracy Collaborate with participant to write the narrative – validate accuracy

Narrative research Highly sensitive, intimate approach Highly sensitive, intimate approach Trust Trust Equality of voice Equality of voice

Narrative research - types Autobiographies/biographies Autobiographies/biographies Personal accounts Personal accounts Oral histories Oral histories Ethnohistories/ethnobiographies Ethnohistories/ethnobiographies

Narrative research – key points “And then what happened?” Focus on individual experiences Focus on individual experiences Concerned with chronology of these experiences Concerned with chronology of these experiences Concentrates on the life story based on collected data Concentrates on the life story based on collected data Incorporates context and place Incorporates context and place Collaborative effort – researcher and participant Collaborative effort – researcher and participant

Narrative research – techniques Multiple data sources ensure objectivity Multiple data sources ensure objectivity Interaction required Interaction required Restorying – researcher gathers stories and picks key elements to build a chronological sequence Restorying – researcher gathers stories and picks key elements to build a chronological sequence –Raw data translated to cohesive unit of information

Narrative research – techniques Interview Interview –Spoken words plus reactions, nuances, etc. Transcribed data – key elements identified Transcribed data – key elements identified Researcher organizes the story chronologically Researcher organizes the story chronologically –Setting, characters, actions, problems, and resolutions are detailed

Narrative research – analysis Narrative analysis Narrative analysis –Descriptions of events collected –Synthesized into narratives –Attempts to answer how and why Analysis of narrative Analysis of narrative –Stories collected –Constructs themes central to all stories captured in narrative

Narrative research – data sources Oral history Oral history Storytelling Storytelling Letter writing Letter writing Lesson plans Lesson plans Parent newsletters Parent newsletters Philosophical statements Philosophical statements

Ethnographic research Cultural patterns Cultural patterns Perspectives of participants in natural settings Perspectives of participants in natural settings Goal is to describe, analyze, and interpret the culture of a group and their shared beliefs, behaviors, and language Goal is to describe, analyze, and interpret the culture of a group and their shared beliefs, behaviors, and language