Journal of Geography in Higher Education · 2007 · 249 citations · 12 references
Curriculum InquiryInquiry-based LearningEducationNarrative And IdentityNarrative RepresentationQualitative InterpretationSouth AfricaStorytelling (Game Design)Narrative Studies (Narrative Psychology)Discourse AnalysisLanguage StudiesLiteracy PracticeNarrative TheoryNarrative InquiryHigher EducationHumanitiesPerformance StudiesQualitative AnalysisNarrative Studies (Comparative Literature)Storytelling (Indigenous Studies)Qualitative Method
Narrative inquiry is situated within qualitative methods, often framed as a constructivist or naturalistic approach, and its application varies across diverse linguistic contexts such as South Africa's 11 official languages. The article aims to provide an overview of narrative inquiry, examine its theoretical foundations and emerging trends, offer practical guidance for its use, and suggest adaptations for geography education. The authors examine theory, provide practical guidance on defining narratives and analyzing data, and illustrate the method through examples of reflective learning for undergraduates and staff experiences of role change in problem-based learning. The article concludes with two illustrative examples of narrative inquiry in practice.
Abstract This article offers an overview of the method of narrative inquiry and explores competing trends in the use of the approach. It not only examines the theories relating to the method but also offers practical guidance on using narrative inquiry, including an exploration of what might count as a narrative and ways of analysing narrative data. The final section of the article presents two different examples of how narrative inquiry has been used. The first example is the use of narrative inquiry as a reflective learning process for students in an undergraduate curriculum. The second example is a narrative inquiry into staff experiences of role change in problem-based learning. Suggestions are also made as to how narrative inquiry might be adapted for use in geography in higher education. Keywords: Qualitative methodsnarrative enquiry Notes 1 Lincoln equates what is called the ‘constructivist’ view in the discipline of psychology with what other disciplines refer to as the ‘naturalistic’ paradigm. 2 South Africa has 11 official languages.
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