"I thought the course and the teacher were excellent. I learnt a lot that will help me in my work going forward."

"This is a new research method for me, so I found that the course was pitched at the right level. It provided a good introduction to both practical and theoretical knowledge. The reading list was very useful. Karen was approachable and knowledgeable."

Introduction/Overview

Narrative inquiry is a valuable investigative technique in qualitative research. Narrative inquiry and storytelling offer us a different way of knowing, of investigating the lived experiences of individuals, and of exploring subjectivity. Narrative knowledge is created and constructed through the stories of lived experience and sense-making, the meanings people afford to them, and therefore offers valuable insight into the complexity of human lives, cultures, and behaviours. It allows us to capture the rich data within stories, including for example shedding insight into feelings, beliefs, images and time. It also takes account of the relationship between individual experience and the wider social and cultural contexts. Crucially, it also involves collaborative inquiry and co-construction of meaning between participants and the researcher. Examples of narrative inquiry in qualitative research include for instance: stories, interviews, life histories, journals, photographs and other artefacts.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Have knowledge of narrative inquiry as a qualitative research technique
• Understand the benefits which narratives and stories offer for understanding people’s lived experience and meanings
• Have an awareness of the different types of narrative inquiry that can be employed in research practice
• Have conducted their own narrative inquiry using a variety of texts and/or images
• Understand the additional benefits offered through the use of self-narratives
• Be aware of the practical and ethical issues which must be considered when using narratives and storytelling as method.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the various ways in which narratives and storytelling are employed in qualitative research
• Understand the theories underpinning narratives
• Gain knowledge of the various forms of narratives which can be employed in qualitative research
• Understand the role that collaboration plays between researcher and participant in narrative inquiry
• Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and practical issues which must be considered when using storytelling and narratives in research.

Topics

During the course we will cover:

• What is narrative inquiry?
• Why use stories in research?
• Different forms of narrative inquiry.
• The importance of collaboration between researcher and participant.
• How to conduct narrative inquiry including various examples such as: stories, interviews, life histories, journals, photography, and artefacts.
• Self-narratives i.e. auto-ethnography
• Ethical and practical issues to consider.

Who will benefit

This course will benefit participants who wish to advance their knowledge of qualitative research methods by exploring at a foundational level the benefits that narratives and stories offer as a method of inquiry in a range of applied and policy settings and contexts. This one-day course is designed to help participants become aware of narratives and storytelling in qualitative research, and to practice some of the techniques involved. As well as providing a grounding in the principles and theories, participants will gain hands-on experience of using various techniques of narrative inquiry. Some prior knowledge of qualitative research methods is advisable.

Course tutor

Karen Lumsden, PhD, is a qualitative trainer, consultant, and ICF qualified professional coach and mentor. She has over 20 years’ experience delivering qualitative methods courses and training to academics, PhD students, social researchers, and practitioners. She regularly delivers training courses for the Social Research Association, the European Consortium for Political Research, government departments, NHS Trusts, charities, police constabularies, and social and market research companies.

She also has extensive experience of the design and delivery of social research methods education and training for universities in the UK and internationally including, for example, the University of Auckland, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, King’s College London, Loughborough University, the University of Aberdeen, the University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, and University of Essex. She has held a number of academic posts including Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen and Loughborough University, and Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham.

Over the years, Karen has been involved in a number of funded research projects and evaluations in social sciences, policing and health, for a range of partners and clients. She regularly undertakes research, training, consultancy, and coaching/mentoring on qualitative research for PhD students, social researchers, and research teams. In particular, she has an established reputation for her work in policing studies and online harm. She has published on qualitative methods including the books Crafting Autoethnography (Routledge, 2023) and Reflexivity: Theory, Method, Practice (Routledge, 2019). She is on the Editorial Board of the journal Qualitative Research. For more info see www.qualitativetraining.com

 This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme

Looking to book for six or more people from your organisation? Contact [email protected] to ask about our in-house courses.