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Metaphor Analysis

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Varieties of Qualitative Research Methods

Part of the book series: Springer Texts in Education ((SPTE))

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Abstract

This chapter describes the metaphor analysis approach. Metaphorical language, as a form of interpretation of meaning, entails the use of figures of speech, like metaphors, analogy, simile, or synecdoche, to make implicit comparisons where a word or phrase that is ordinarily used in one domain is applied in another domain. By analyzing metaphorical language, researchers can search for metaphors in a variety of texts and derive meaning from them. This chapter outlines the brief history, purpose, and components of metaphor analysis, provides an outline of its process, strengths and limitations, and application, and offers further readings, resources, and suggestions for student engagement activities.

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References

  • Chenail, R. J. (2012). Conducting qualitative data analysis: Qualitative data analysis as a metaphoric process. The Qualitative Report, 17(1), 248–253. http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR17-1/chenail-metaphor.pdf

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Additional Reading

  • Armstrong, S. L., Davis, H. S., & Paulson, E. J. (2011). The subjectivity problem: Improving triangulation approaches in metaphor analysis studies. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 10(2), 151–163.

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  • Fábián, G. (2013). The application of improved metaphor analysis in education research. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93(2013), 1025–1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.09.323

  • Jensen, D. (2006). Metaphors as a bridge to understanding educational and social contexts. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1), 36–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690600500104

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

    Benjamin Kutsyuruba & Jodi Basch

Authors
  1. Benjamin Kutsyuruba
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  2. Jodi Basch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin Kutsyuruba .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Administration, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Janet Mola Okoko

  2. Department of Educational Administration, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Scott Tunison

  3. Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Keith D. Walker

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Kutsyuruba, B., Basch, J. (2023). Metaphor Analysis. In: Okoko, J.M., Tunison, S., Walker, K.D. (eds) Varieties of Qualitative Research Methods. Springer Texts in Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04394-9_50

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04394-9_50

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-04396-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-04394-9

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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