‘Making narrative portraits : a methodological approach to analysing qualitative data’

Rodriguez-Dorans, E; Jacobs, P

Abstract

This paper proposes the method of ‘narrative portraiture’, which, located within the wider field of narrative studies, offers an analytical tool to narrative data. Two research projects, one on disability and one on identity, are used to illustrate how the method can be applied. While the paper will focus on the methodological benefits and limitations of the approach, throughout the article we also highlight the ethical concern of representation. We suggest that through ‘narrative portraiture’ research findings can be contextualised in broader social narratives without losing sight of the unique personal qualities of the research encounter. Thus, we argue for the importance of bringing the participant and their everyday life experience into focus, highlighting that a portrayal of a sole story can be, not only a medium to understand a research phenomenon, but also a valuable research output in itself.

Citation

Rodriguez-Dorans, E., & Jacobs, P. (2020). ‘Making narrative portraits : a methodological approach to analysing qualitative data’. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 23(6), 611-623. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1719609

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jan 27, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 27, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 27, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Social Research Methodology
• Print ISSN: 1364-5579
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5300
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 611-623
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1719609
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1719609
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsrm20/current
• Additional Information: Access Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Social Research Methodology on 27th January 2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13645579.2020.1719609.