The narrative structure as a way to gain insight into peoples' experiences: One methodological approach
2014 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, ISSN 0283-9318, E-ISSN 1471-6712, Vol. 28, no 3, p. 618-626Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The narrative method is used in healthcare research, mostly in data collection but also in the analysis. Narrative approaches draw attention to how people tell about and create meaning of experiences. The aim of the article was to examine the narrative structure, the elements in the structure and their function and how these can be used in research to gain insights into experiences. Examples are taken from a material of narratives from a study where next of kin were asked to narrate their experiences of sudden and unexpected death from stroke. The narratives had a clear beginning, midpoint and ending. In the beginning, orientation of the narrated events was given. The narrated events were told to have a turning point constituted of complicating actions that lead to a resolution that solved the narrated event. The narratives were built up by multiple recaps into the narrated events and also consisted of asides - side narratives and flashbacks - events back in time. Use of a narrative structure can contribute with valuable information that might be missed with other analysis. The analysis can be used on its own, as a complement to other narrative analysis or even as a complement to other qualitative analysis. © 2013 Nordic College of Caring Science.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2014. Vol. 28, no 3, p. 618-626
Keywords [en]
Experiences, Narrative structure analysis, Qualitative methods, Research, Understanding
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-22637DOI: 10.1111/scs.12080ISI: 000340288100022Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84904962502OAI: oai:DiVA.org:miun-22637DiVA, id: diva2:748540
Note
Correspondence Address: Rejnö, A.; The Stroke Unit, Skaraborg Hospital, Strokeenheten, Kärnsjukhuset, Skaraborgs sjukhus, SE 54185 Sköovde, Sweden; email: asa.rejno@vgregion.se
2014-09-192014-08-202017-12-05Bibliographically approved