Narrative Analysis

By Catherine Kohler Riessman

Book Overview

Recipient of the 1994 Critics′ Choice Award from the American Educational Studies Association

People tell stories to help organize and make sense of their lives. In the past, their narratives have often been torn apart by social scientists looking for themes, variables, and specific answers to specific questions. But in recent years, the development of narrative analysis has given life to the study of the narrative as a form of information for social research. Why are they constructed as they are? How does one dissect a narrative to understand the lived experience of the narrator? What steps can the researcher take to translate these tales and life stories into usable research? Catherine Kohler Riessman provides a detailed primer on the use of narrative analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and worldview, and the methods it uses. Replete with examples and transcriptions from previous narrative studies, Narrative Analysis is a useful introduction to this growing body of literature.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803947542
• ISBN13: 9780803947542
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Great introduction to narrative analysis

I'm very glad I invested in this book. It is clear and concise and gives a highly readable and approachable introduction to narrative analysis. It is divided into three sections: theory, practical examples (critical reviews of three different narrative analyses) and a 'how to' section. The book isn't very long so the reader isn't distracted by excessive and possibly over complicated content.

Concise and enlightning book

Excellent guideline to how to approach narrative analysis. Gives clear examples and their advantages and pitfalls.

Succinct, Instructive, and Accessible

Riessman's Narrative Analysis is an excellent tool for those beginning research using narratives as the primary source of data and/or conducting ethnographic inquiry. Written in clear, accessible language the text introduces readers to the advantages of using narratives in research, the current debates in use of narratives, and the various perspectives on narrative inquiry. More than anything, the text provides an overview of current paradigms and schools of thought. Though many additions have been made to the area of inquiry since the book was written in 1993, it nonetheless provides a great introduction to the use of narrative in research and the reading of texts based on narratives. Further, Riessman is not afraid to cross disciplinary boundaries. Weaving together semiotics, feminist theory, post positivist schools of thought, hermeneutics, anthropology, and sociology, she provides a basic framework that, if not exhaustive, at least gives a picture of the current state-of-the-art. The references section alone is worth the cost of the book!

Narrative Analysis

Narrative Analysis by Catherine Kohler Riessman presents the reader with a strong rationale for conducting qualitative research in the humanities from the perspective of the personal experience narrative. Notions of re-presenting to a reader or audience from personal lived experience in order to make meaning from that experience is a theme often stated in this monograph. Vivid examples are given throughout the text, making the theoretical come alive for the reader. Not only is the book written in a friendly style, but the examples yield practicality for a researcher as well. I have used the methodology that Riessman describes for several years with significant success.