Narrative Analysis

Synonyms

Discourse; Qualitative analysis; Stories

Definition

Narrative analysis refers to research which examines the act of oral or written storytelling (Holstein and Gubrium 2012). Specifically, researchers who engage in narrative analysis seek to interpret how stories are told and why stories are told in a particular way (de Medeiros 2014; Riessman 1993).

Overview

Narratives are commonly used as a way to understand the experience of aging and later life (de Medeiros 2014). Knowing how to analyze narratives, or stories about one’s life, can provide rich insight into the experiences of older persons. Narrative, in its most basic form, is often viewed as telling of an event. Bamberg (2012) expanded upon this basic definition by providing six premises of narrative practice. First, narratives exist as part of a larger tapestry of worldly activities and events. Second, narratives can be presented textually (written) or performed orally. Third, narratives offer information about an event...