- Email: [email protected]
Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives
G Model LINEDU-601; No. of Pages 3
ARTICLE IN PRESS Linguistics and Education xxx (2016) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Linguistics and Education journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/linged
Book Review Essay
Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives Using Narrative in Research, C. Bold. Sage Publications, London, Los Angeles (2012)190, ISBN: 978-1-84860-719-4 Varieties of Narrative Analysis, J.A. Holstein, J.F. Gubrium (Eds.). Sage Publications, London, Los Angeles (2012). 305 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4129-8755-4 As these books illustrate, narrative is a function of language and meaning-making that reflects the intricacies of human experience. As such, research with narratives remains multifaceted, resisting finite parameters. Yet each of these books tackles the complex nature of narrative research, providing perspectives that not only round out the picture of narrative practices, but that also speak to the value of narrative data in research. Bold’s Using Narrative in Research gives a general overview and takes up relevant applications with examples of the author’s studies and those of her students. In contrast, Holstein and Gubrium’s aptly titled Varieties of Narrative Analysis draws from scholars whose essays contribute to the understanding of narrative analysis, and offers insight into the overall significance of narrative as data. Together, these books explore the depth and breadth of narrative research practices that serve a wide range of disciplines, particularly those that study language, education, and sociocultural experience.
1. Using Narrative in Research Christine Bold envisions Using Narrative in Research as a specialist text that offers support to those new to narrative inquiry. The author aims for accessibility and sheds light on the complexities of narrative research. In the process, she maintains quality and substance with an abundance of examples that clarify key points in the research process. Thus, to label Using Narrative in Research as a primer or basic text in narrative research does not diminish its value and thoroughness. Moreover, unlike texts that immerse the reader into obfuscated concepts and jargon, the author demystifies the intricacies of narrative research, and conveys a forthright and honest perspective. Bold structures the text in a simple manner, offers clear examples, and homes in on narrative thinking and fit for purpose, two strategic foci (explained further below) that serve as a backdrop for grasping the nature of narrative inquiry. As with many introductory texts, the content in each chapter provides a learning scaffold, beginning with fundamental knowledge, and then leading into the sequential tasks necessary to conduct effective research with narrative data. Chapter 1 supplies an overview of the book, along with the history and theory of narrative research. In Chapter 2, scholarly perspectives into the qualities, themes and perspectives of the narrative itself describe the multiplicities of narrative research. Within the remaining chapters, Bold
illustrates almost step by step the narrative inquiry process, from establishing a viable research topic and proposal (Chapter 3), the ethics of conducting research with human subjects (Chapter 4), the particulars of data collection, and data analysis and reporting research findings (Chapter 69). The sequence of chapters reveals the instructional nature of the book and furnishes a simple structure that demystifies this multifaceted material. In addition, the book provides an abundance of perspectives that illustrate how narrative data can enhance research. The author substantiates her discussion with brief examples and supplies templates for a basic research proposal and research report. Through this work, the author fills a niche not only in narrative research, but in research education in general. As a student myself and a teacher of graduate students, I have found that the specifics of conducting research—such as the intricacies of proposal writing or data collection and analysis—are not often taught explicitly. For that reason alone, I found this book to be a refreshing change from texts that discuss research but do not provide the details to conduct it successfully. In addition to sketching out narrative research from start to finish is Bold’s strong emphasis on strategies of narrative thinking and fitness for purpose. From the author’s point of view, the researcher’s ongoing subjective transparency (narrative thinking) is crucial to successful narrative research. Bold demonstrates reflective techniques with students’ examples and autobiographical accounts of her experience. She sets aside Chapter 5 to delve into the value of this strategy, which embraces the researcher’s ability to reflect on their personal narrative processes. Although the emphasis on self-reflection and reflexivity may seem belabored at times, it substantiates the author’s purpose. Bold illustrates how a narrative can serve as an aperture to more deeply understand the research process and oneself as an essential conduit of performing narrative inquiry. She validates the significance of autobiographical reflection and narrative thinking with probing tasks and questions like “Whose voice is being heard?” (p. 49) or “Narrative truth?” (p. 143), which challenge the researcher to dig deeper within to find honest answers. Bold emphasizes how the process requires documenting and parsing one’s own motives and position, as well as being sensitized to the vulnerability of one’s subjects, and the weaknesses and feasibility of the research. Thus, according to the author, narrative data should be conveyed with the utmost clarity and reflexivity, in order to optimally reveal the researcher’s subjective position. She models this stance with her own autobiographical approach, reflecting on her experience and position in her work. In the same reflective vein, Bold asserts: “At all stages in the research process you should keep the notion of fitness for purpose at the forefront of your thinking” (p. 94). She illustrates how fitness of purpose requires the researcher to choose among the myriad of research possibilities. Making this choice not only requires knowl-
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002 0898-5898/
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002
G Model LINEDU-601; No. of Pages 3
ARTICLE IN PRESS Book Review Essay
2
edge of the necessary steps or stages of research, but it also requires the reflective skills of narrative thinking. Thus, within the simplicity of its organization and emphases on narrative thinking and fitness for purpose, Using Narrative in Research allows the reader to examine the wealth of perspectives indicative of the scope of this methodology. Due to the book’s introductory nature, it can easily function as a coursework text or as a fundamental guide for teachers and researchers.
2. Varieties of Narrative Analysis But because of the sheer volume of possible approaches, Bold suggests seeking out additional sources that inform the narrative researcher’s particular needs. One source could easily be Varieties of Narrative Analysis, a text that delves deeper into the practice of narrative inquiry. Editors James A. Holstein and Jaber F. Gubrium acknowledge that “no part of the research enterprise is easy” (p. 4). As such, they also seek to illuminate the inherently complicated nature of narrative inquiry. In contrast to Bold, they specifically examine the analysis of narrative data, a phase of narrative inquiry that is wrought with its own set of difficulties. With the working knowledge of prevalent problems in narrative inquiry, Holstein and Gubrium reflect: “the process following data collection often bogs down at analysis, where the researcher must make sense of material that can appear chaotic, without discernable pattern” (p. 4). Thus, in response to this problem, Varieties of Narrative Analysis examines a range of analytical techniques employed by a group of seasoned scholars. To fulfill their goal, the editors choose from a cross-section of examples that represent types of narratives, research goals and analytical strategies through the perspectives of twelve accomplished researchers from an array of disciplines. Although the editors acknowledge the various forms that narratives can take, from experience they understand that when it comes to narratives, the story prevails in research popularity. Thus, the book takes up the nature of the story in narrative analysis. It does so in three parts, beginning with Part I, Analyzing Stories, which focuses on approaches to narrative content and structure. The subsequent sections focus on social contexts, with Part II, Analyzing Storytelling, concerned with narrative production and exchange and Part III, Analyzing Stories in Society, delving into the sociocultural conditions where narratives arise. Each segment contains examples that collectively model thought-provoking analytic strategies, applications from a variety of disciplines, and the experience of established scholars. Realistically, Holstein and Gubrium admit that they cannot cover narrative analysis to its full extent. However, in terms of analytic strategies, the authors select examples from contributors who represent “leading strategies and tactics. . .demonstrating a broadly balanced set of analytic options” (p. 4). To illustrate, the volume includes Arthur Frank’s “dialogical” approach to narrative (Chapter 2), Roberto Franzosi’s quantitative narrative analysis (Chapter 4), Michael Bamberg’s analysis of narrative practice and identity navigation (Chapter 5), Ray Cashman’s ethnographic approach to storytelling (Chapter 8), and, as the title of her article indicates, Donileen R. Loseke’s Empirical Analysis of Formula Stories. It is relevant to note that while I only mention only a few of the contributing researchers in this review, this edited collection contains a rich and full array of analytic discussions. Remarkably, each scholar touches on specific aspects of human experience and narrative representation. Two notable examples include psychologist Dan P. McAdams’ testing of extant theory from insight and discovery grounded in narratives (Chapter 1) and Andrew C. Sparks and Brett Smith’s analysis through “critical examination”
of “the experiential body of the researcher. . . as it is in acts of othering and being other” (p. 70) (Chapter 3). Additionally, several discussions explore distinct functions of narratives in human social engagement. As Holstein and Gubrium explain, each chapter illustrates that analytic options are not arbitrary and emerge from one’s theoretical sensibility and knowledge. In addition to analytic options, Holstein and Gubrium offer examples from a range of research disciplines and practices. The multiple disciplines represented reveal the widespread relevance of narrative analysis across fields. Holstein and Gubrium are sociologists, thus it may come as no surprise that this discipline is well represented. The topics span interests such as bioethics and illness (Frank), politics and political action (Fanzosi and Poletta), and identity, emotion, and social problems (Loeske). Beyond sociology, other contributors represent the fields of psychology (Bamberg and McAdams), communication (Katriel and Koven), education, planning and policy (Almquist and Feldman), folklore (Cashman and Shuman) and sport sciences (Smith and Sparks). The broad representation of topics and research strategies speaks to the editors’ care in conveying the extensive applicability of narrative inquiry, which ultimately shapes a volume rich in experiences and perspectives. Regardless of discipline, narrative is situated in social practice, so each essay touches on human meaning-making and social experience which inherently forges a link to applicable research in education, language studies and sociolinguistics.
3. Concluding thoughts on complementary perspectives Although Using Narrative in Research and Varieties of Narrative Analysis display distinct styles and purposes, both share common goals in exploring the scope and rigor of research with narratives. Stylistically, with the former, Bold largely employs an autobiographical voice to delineate the necessary introductory knowledge and steps toward successful narrative research. In contrast, Holstein and Gubrium draw from contributors who share a common link using narrative analysis, and bring enlightening perspectives that illustrate the depth and breadth of analytic options. Yet, both books take up a stance toward executing narrative methods that illustrate their authors’ and editors’ commitment to the research form. For instance, as noted, Bold calls to revisit and reevaluate fitness for purpose continually throughout the narrative research process. In a different manner, Holstein and Gubrium illustrate the appropriateness of narrative analytic techniques by emphasizing the significance of the researcher’s knowledgeable intent and theoretical astuteness and sensibilities. In so doing, both books indicate the rigor needed to determine optimal strategies for narrative research, and provide examples to demonstrate their respective points. Whereas Holstein and Gubrium’s focus rests on a comprehensive professional cross-section of discussions and strategies, Bold chooses examples closer to her own teaching and research experience. In addition to their scholarly expertise in qualitative research and narrative methods, Holstein and Gubrium bring experience from their collaborative partnership of over twenty-five years as co-authors and co-editors of a number of texts. As a result, Varieties of Narrative Analysis reflects a sophistication and integrity indicative of their professional editorial commitment and seasoned scholarly knowledge. Within her educational focus, Bold guides both the neophyte and experienced narrative researcher through the research process with reflexive honesty. Yet, both works serve educational purposes within the body of knowledge on narrative inquiry. Furthermore, together, the books provide complementary knowledge in making sense of the nuances of narrative inquiry. They both succeed in delivering organized knowledge that facilitates understanding of the difficulties therein. Equally important,
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002
G Model LINEDU-601; No. of Pages 3
ARTICLE IN PRESS Book Review Essay
Bold’s emphasis on clarity and thoroughness, paired with Holstein and Gubrium’s stance on researcher integrity and rigor, prove these texts to be a source of knowledge and enrichment for students and practitioners alike—particularly, those who wish to establish clarity, integrity, and solid ground amidst the often perplexing and chaotic intricacies of narrative research.
3
Deborah A. Petrone Ohio Dominican University, United States E-mail address: [email protected] 30 November 2014 Available online xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002
ARTICLE IN PRESS Linguistics and Education xxx (2016) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Linguistics and Education journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/linged
Book Review Essay
Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives Using Narrative in Research, C. Bold. Sage Publications, London, Los Angeles (2012)190, ISBN: 978-1-84860-719-4 Varieties of Narrative Analysis, J.A. Holstein, J.F. Gubrium (Eds.). Sage Publications, London, Los Angeles (2012). 305 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4129-8755-4 As these books illustrate, narrative is a function of language and meaning-making that reflects the intricacies of human experience. As such, research with narratives remains multifaceted, resisting finite parameters. Yet each of these books tackles the complex nature of narrative research, providing perspectives that not only round out the picture of narrative practices, but that also speak to the value of narrative data in research. Bold’s Using Narrative in Research gives a general overview and takes up relevant applications with examples of the author’s studies and those of her students. In contrast, Holstein and Gubrium’s aptly titled Varieties of Narrative Analysis draws from scholars whose essays contribute to the understanding of narrative analysis, and offers insight into the overall significance of narrative as data. Together, these books explore the depth and breadth of narrative research practices that serve a wide range of disciplines, particularly those that study language, education, and sociocultural experience.
1. Using Narrative in Research Christine Bold envisions Using Narrative in Research as a specialist text that offers support to those new to narrative inquiry. The author aims for accessibility and sheds light on the complexities of narrative research. In the process, she maintains quality and substance with an abundance of examples that clarify key points in the research process. Thus, to label Using Narrative in Research as a primer or basic text in narrative research does not diminish its value and thoroughness. Moreover, unlike texts that immerse the reader into obfuscated concepts and jargon, the author demystifies the intricacies of narrative research, and conveys a forthright and honest perspective. Bold structures the text in a simple manner, offers clear examples, and homes in on narrative thinking and fit for purpose, two strategic foci (explained further below) that serve as a backdrop for grasping the nature of narrative inquiry. As with many introductory texts, the content in each chapter provides a learning scaffold, beginning with fundamental knowledge, and then leading into the sequential tasks necessary to conduct effective research with narrative data. Chapter 1 supplies an overview of the book, along with the history and theory of narrative research. In Chapter 2, scholarly perspectives into the qualities, themes and perspectives of the narrative itself describe the multiplicities of narrative research. Within the remaining chapters, Bold
illustrates almost step by step the narrative inquiry process, from establishing a viable research topic and proposal (Chapter 3), the ethics of conducting research with human subjects (Chapter 4), the particulars of data collection, and data analysis and reporting research findings (Chapter 69). The sequence of chapters reveals the instructional nature of the book and furnishes a simple structure that demystifies this multifaceted material. In addition, the book provides an abundance of perspectives that illustrate how narrative data can enhance research. The author substantiates her discussion with brief examples and supplies templates for a basic research proposal and research report. Through this work, the author fills a niche not only in narrative research, but in research education in general. As a student myself and a teacher of graduate students, I have found that the specifics of conducting research—such as the intricacies of proposal writing or data collection and analysis—are not often taught explicitly. For that reason alone, I found this book to be a refreshing change from texts that discuss research but do not provide the details to conduct it successfully. In addition to sketching out narrative research from start to finish is Bold’s strong emphasis on strategies of narrative thinking and fitness for purpose. From the author’s point of view, the researcher’s ongoing subjective transparency (narrative thinking) is crucial to successful narrative research. Bold demonstrates reflective techniques with students’ examples and autobiographical accounts of her experience. She sets aside Chapter 5 to delve into the value of this strategy, which embraces the researcher’s ability to reflect on their personal narrative processes. Although the emphasis on self-reflection and reflexivity may seem belabored at times, it substantiates the author’s purpose. Bold illustrates how a narrative can serve as an aperture to more deeply understand the research process and oneself as an essential conduit of performing narrative inquiry. She validates the significance of autobiographical reflection and narrative thinking with probing tasks and questions like “Whose voice is being heard?” (p. 49) or “Narrative truth?” (p. 143), which challenge the researcher to dig deeper within to find honest answers. Bold emphasizes how the process requires documenting and parsing one’s own motives and position, as well as being sensitized to the vulnerability of one’s subjects, and the weaknesses and feasibility of the research. Thus, according to the author, narrative data should be conveyed with the utmost clarity and reflexivity, in order to optimally reveal the researcher’s subjective position. She models this stance with her own autobiographical approach, reflecting on her experience and position in her work. In the same reflective vein, Bold asserts: “At all stages in the research process you should keep the notion of fitness for purpose at the forefront of your thinking” (p. 94). She illustrates how fitness of purpose requires the researcher to choose among the myriad of research possibilities. Making this choice not only requires knowl-
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002 0898-5898/
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002
G Model LINEDU-601; No. of Pages 3
ARTICLE IN PRESS Book Review Essay
2
edge of the necessary steps or stages of research, but it also requires the reflective skills of narrative thinking. Thus, within the simplicity of its organization and emphases on narrative thinking and fitness for purpose, Using Narrative in Research allows the reader to examine the wealth of perspectives indicative of the scope of this methodology. Due to the book’s introductory nature, it can easily function as a coursework text or as a fundamental guide for teachers and researchers.
2. Varieties of Narrative Analysis But because of the sheer volume of possible approaches, Bold suggests seeking out additional sources that inform the narrative researcher’s particular needs. One source could easily be Varieties of Narrative Analysis, a text that delves deeper into the practice of narrative inquiry. Editors James A. Holstein and Jaber F. Gubrium acknowledge that “no part of the research enterprise is easy” (p. 4). As such, they also seek to illuminate the inherently complicated nature of narrative inquiry. In contrast to Bold, they specifically examine the analysis of narrative data, a phase of narrative inquiry that is wrought with its own set of difficulties. With the working knowledge of prevalent problems in narrative inquiry, Holstein and Gubrium reflect: “the process following data collection often bogs down at analysis, where the researcher must make sense of material that can appear chaotic, without discernable pattern” (p. 4). Thus, in response to this problem, Varieties of Narrative Analysis examines a range of analytical techniques employed by a group of seasoned scholars. To fulfill their goal, the editors choose from a cross-section of examples that represent types of narratives, research goals and analytical strategies through the perspectives of twelve accomplished researchers from an array of disciplines. Although the editors acknowledge the various forms that narratives can take, from experience they understand that when it comes to narratives, the story prevails in research popularity. Thus, the book takes up the nature of the story in narrative analysis. It does so in three parts, beginning with Part I, Analyzing Stories, which focuses on approaches to narrative content and structure. The subsequent sections focus on social contexts, with Part II, Analyzing Storytelling, concerned with narrative production and exchange and Part III, Analyzing Stories in Society, delving into the sociocultural conditions where narratives arise. Each segment contains examples that collectively model thought-provoking analytic strategies, applications from a variety of disciplines, and the experience of established scholars. Realistically, Holstein and Gubrium admit that they cannot cover narrative analysis to its full extent. However, in terms of analytic strategies, the authors select examples from contributors who represent “leading strategies and tactics. . .demonstrating a broadly balanced set of analytic options” (p. 4). To illustrate, the volume includes Arthur Frank’s “dialogical” approach to narrative (Chapter 2), Roberto Franzosi’s quantitative narrative analysis (Chapter 4), Michael Bamberg’s analysis of narrative practice and identity navigation (Chapter 5), Ray Cashman’s ethnographic approach to storytelling (Chapter 8), and, as the title of her article indicates, Donileen R. Loseke’s Empirical Analysis of Formula Stories. It is relevant to note that while I only mention only a few of the contributing researchers in this review, this edited collection contains a rich and full array of analytic discussions. Remarkably, each scholar touches on specific aspects of human experience and narrative representation. Two notable examples include psychologist Dan P. McAdams’ testing of extant theory from insight and discovery grounded in narratives (Chapter 1) and Andrew C. Sparks and Brett Smith’s analysis through “critical examination”
of “the experiential body of the researcher. . . as it is in acts of othering and being other” (p. 70) (Chapter 3). Additionally, several discussions explore distinct functions of narratives in human social engagement. As Holstein and Gubrium explain, each chapter illustrates that analytic options are not arbitrary and emerge from one’s theoretical sensibility and knowledge. In addition to analytic options, Holstein and Gubrium offer examples from a range of research disciplines and practices. The multiple disciplines represented reveal the widespread relevance of narrative analysis across fields. Holstein and Gubrium are sociologists, thus it may come as no surprise that this discipline is well represented. The topics span interests such as bioethics and illness (Frank), politics and political action (Fanzosi and Poletta), and identity, emotion, and social problems (Loeske). Beyond sociology, other contributors represent the fields of psychology (Bamberg and McAdams), communication (Katriel and Koven), education, planning and policy (Almquist and Feldman), folklore (Cashman and Shuman) and sport sciences (Smith and Sparks). The broad representation of topics and research strategies speaks to the editors’ care in conveying the extensive applicability of narrative inquiry, which ultimately shapes a volume rich in experiences and perspectives. Regardless of discipline, narrative is situated in social practice, so each essay touches on human meaning-making and social experience which inherently forges a link to applicable research in education, language studies and sociolinguistics.
3. Concluding thoughts on complementary perspectives Although Using Narrative in Research and Varieties of Narrative Analysis display distinct styles and purposes, both share common goals in exploring the scope and rigor of research with narratives. Stylistically, with the former, Bold largely employs an autobiographical voice to delineate the necessary introductory knowledge and steps toward successful narrative research. In contrast, Holstein and Gubrium draw from contributors who share a common link using narrative analysis, and bring enlightening perspectives that illustrate the depth and breadth of analytic options. Yet, both books take up a stance toward executing narrative methods that illustrate their authors’ and editors’ commitment to the research form. For instance, as noted, Bold calls to revisit and reevaluate fitness for purpose continually throughout the narrative research process. In a different manner, Holstein and Gubrium illustrate the appropriateness of narrative analytic techniques by emphasizing the significance of the researcher’s knowledgeable intent and theoretical astuteness and sensibilities. In so doing, both books indicate the rigor needed to determine optimal strategies for narrative research, and provide examples to demonstrate their respective points. Whereas Holstein and Gubrium’s focus rests on a comprehensive professional cross-section of discussions and strategies, Bold chooses examples closer to her own teaching and research experience. In addition to their scholarly expertise in qualitative research and narrative methods, Holstein and Gubrium bring experience from their collaborative partnership of over twenty-five years as co-authors and co-editors of a number of texts. As a result, Varieties of Narrative Analysis reflects a sophistication and integrity indicative of their professional editorial commitment and seasoned scholarly knowledge. Within her educational focus, Bold guides both the neophyte and experienced narrative researcher through the research process with reflexive honesty. Yet, both works serve educational purposes within the body of knowledge on narrative inquiry. Furthermore, together, the books provide complementary knowledge in making sense of the nuances of narrative inquiry. They both succeed in delivering organized knowledge that facilitates understanding of the difficulties therein. Equally important,
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002
G Model LINEDU-601; No. of Pages 3
ARTICLE IN PRESS Book Review Essay
Bold’s emphasis on clarity and thoroughness, paired with Holstein and Gubrium’s stance on researcher integrity and rigor, prove these texts to be a source of knowledge and enrichment for students and practitioners alike—particularly, those who wish to establish clarity, integrity, and solid ground amidst the often perplexing and chaotic intricacies of narrative research.
3
Deborah A. Petrone Ohio Dominican University, United States E-mail address: [email protected] 30 November 2014 Available online xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Petrone, D.A. Informing practices in narrative inquiry: A review of complementary perspectives. Linguistics and Education (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.07.002