ASSUMPTIONS

WHAT ARE THE ASSUMPTIONS WITH NARRATIVE RESEARCH?

Understanding that the concepts used, the theories applied or the pragmatic approaches to any research project comes with both explicit and implicit assumptions.

The assumptions that apply to narrative research are inherent in overall Qualitative Research. Understanding these in their overall context will assist the researcher in determining how they will impact their decision to use a narrative research approach by evaluation the following:

Ontological: our assumptions about how we see the world.

Epistemological: our assumptions about the best way to study the world.

Axiological: inherent values and how they are expressed in the research.

Methodological: how is the research conducted.

Because Narrative research is the “story telling” of a group of people, it is especially critical that the assumptions be addressed. It is preferable that a researcher identifies and addresses these at the front end of their research, as to incorporate safeguards against the assumptions into the research methodology or at the very least to identify the assumptions as limitations at the end of the study. It is critical to remember that exploration, analysis and interpretation of individual experiences take place, keeping in view the social, cultural, political and economic context of those experiences (Khan, 2021).

Robert and Shenhav (2014) propose that reflecting on two key questions will assist the researcher in not only defining their narrative analysis but in determining the implicit assumptions. The first pertains to the status attributed to the narrative and the second concerns the perspective on narrative analysis.

Is the story telling the very fabric of human existence or is it a representational device? This question forces the readers and the creators to reflect on the theory of representation mobilized and therefore on the epistemological ramifications of specific narrative studies, Robert and Shenhav ( 2014). Reflecting on what are the best ways to study the world is critical and is implied when using narrative research.
Is narrative mostly the quality of an approach, an object of investigation, or both? This question forces the readers and the creators to reflect on their perspective of the methodological implications of the study.

REFERENCES

Robert, D., & Shenhav, S. (2014). Fundamental assumptions in narrative analysis: Mapping the field. The Qualitative Report, 19(38), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1005

Khan, M. (2021). Narrative Research: What and How? You Tube [Video] .https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=z4RLqtU8pD0

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