Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences

About the Book

'Riessman updates, expands, and to some degree reconceptualizes her 1993 SAGE book, Narrative Analysis, which has probably been the most cited methodological source for narrative reserach. The new version deserves even greater success than its predecessor...The greatest virtue of Riessman's book, for my taste, is her refusal to reduce method to procedure' - Canadian Journal of Sociology 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.

Table of Contents:
Looking Back, Looking Forward Constructing Narratives for Research Thematic Analysis Structural Analysis Dialogic Performance Analysis Visual Analysis Truths and Cautions

About the Author :
Catherine Kohler Riessman is Research Professor in the Department of Sociology at Boston College, and an Emerita Professor at Boston University. She serves as a Visiting Fellow in the Centre for Narrative Research, University of East London. She earned a Ph.D. in Sociomedical Science from Columbia University. Riessman has authored four books and numerous articles and book chapters in medical sociology and qualitative methodologies.

Review :
Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences provides an accessible framework for researchers — to analyse narrative texts with confidence, empathy, and humility. "Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences is a well-written, profoundly useful guide to four of the main narrative methods: (a) oral narratives derived from interviews; (b) narratives derived from archival materials such as diaries, letters, and other documents; (c) ethnographic observations as compiled from field notes; and (d) visual media (in combination with text or not) such as videotaped interactions, paintings, and photographs. Not only is she practical and thoughtful about types of narratives, but even more important are the insights that she provides about the alternative methods of transforming narrative materials into published works. [...T]his excellent work will be indispensible for teachers of graduate courses in narrative and other qualitative methods and for research teams wanting to do first-rate narrative research." This is an excellent text - clearly written and invaluable for postgraduate researchers: a good starting point for an increasingly popular method of research This is an exceptionally well-written text book that seems very accesible for students who do not have a firm background in qualitative methods or in narrative theory!
It′s a fun and easy read - which made me decide to use as the basic text book for my students. For the students in my PhD-level qualitative research courses who choose to do narrative studies, this text is a favorite for its conceptual clarity and practical suggestions. 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. Provides a solid overview - could be focused more on politics/IR for my course but it will be on my reading list. An excellent text for those both new to and more experienced in narrative research methods. Clear explanation of techniques and excellent summaries which distinguish, in some detail, the distinctions between narrative and other qualitative approaches. A definite addition for my post-grad students. While this text is well-written and came highly-recommended, the topic content was not a good fit for an introductory level qualitative class. This offers useful material for thinking through the process of doing narrative interviews. This offers useful material for thinking through the process of doing narrative interviews. Practical enough. Gives good examples of analysis and introduces different methods understandably, also for beginners. Could be more focussed on business studies for the purposes of my course. Reissman is a seminal text for anyone wanting to know more about narrative research. She gives insight into different methods of collecting and analysing data using her own and others experiences. There are plenty of references for further reading 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. Reissman′s text offers an insight into this growing field of study. The book will be usefull for all students undertaking research methodology modules and of particular use to those considering narrative as a methodology. offering good grounding in the subject area 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 Good additional reading for our RM modules This is an excellent book that provides students with a detailed introduction to a range of analytical methods in the field of narrative research. It is written in a concise way that will enable students to make sense of a sometimes convoluted field A good, well written and digestible overview of a range of narrative approaches - the perfect first port-of-call for students interested in exploring this approach. A sound text to illustrate the value of this approach to research This is a wonderful book; however, it was not quite what we needed. 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 This book would be an important text for those who are contemplating using narrative methods as part of further study such as Masters or PhD. To support those doing narrative methods Comprehensive, full of examples, a great text for students, and researchers. This book is essential reading for anyone doing narrative research at MA and EdD level. I liked the chapters which explores separately the different approaches to analyse the narratives. Excellent resource for this developing edition to qualitative methods. Classic text, and essential for all undergraduate students using narrative approaches to the human sciences at dissertation level 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 Very well written book and I came away understanding a lot more clearly what narrative research was about! 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.