Constructing Narratives of Continuity and Change - A transdisciplinary approach to researching lives (Hardcover)

In this volume academic and researchers from across disciplines including education, psychology and health studies come together to discuss personal, political and professional narratives of struggle, resilience and hope. Contributors draw from a rich body of auto-biographical research examining the role of narrative and how it can be constructed, considering the roles of significant others, inspirational, educational and fiction characters, as well as myth and legend, to compose a life story. The book discusses how personal narrative, often neglected in social and psychological enquiry, can be a valuable resource across a range of settings. Reference is made to the evolving role of narrative in studies of educational process, in health and other forms of professional practice, and in psychotherapy. The book also includes examples that go beyond words, demonstrating other ways of representing lives through research, using art, fiction and poetry. Rather than providing a 'how to' guide, this book illustrates the range of work possible using narrative.Each chapter outlines a specific study, describes the context, explains the methodology and illuminates important findings with examples from the research. Further implication for research and practice are also discussed making this book important reading for postgraduate and doctoral students, those teaching research methods, as well as academics and researchers developing biographical and auto/biographical narrative research. The text will appeal to those from a range of disciplines including education, health and social care, counselling and psychotherapy.