Abstract
Background Story completion asks the participant to produce a story, in response to an open, sometimes ambiguous, scenario. As a method for qualitative research, it is relatively unknown. Yet the method has deep roots, with origins in psychotherapy practice (projective techniques, such as Rorschach) and (quantitative) developmental psychology research (such as the doll play story completion test); in those domains, it offers a method to access information inaccessible through self-report. As a qualitative method, story completion has usually been used to research the meaning-worlds people occupy, exploring everyday sense-making in relation to topics such as infidelity1 and health and weight loss.2 Aims/Objectives This paper provides an overview and introduction to story completion as a qualitative technique for health research, including a brief signal of key design concerns. It demonstrates the exciting potential this method has for tapping collective sense-making, making git potentially very use for health researchers. Discussion/Conclusions We believe story completion has untapped, exciting potential for qualitative health research, offering something quite different to many of the more popular methods used (e.g. interviews, focus groups). Through highlighting conceptual and design considerations for story completion, this paper both introduces the method and sets the scene for the three empirical symposium papers that follow – each of which demonstrates the application of story completion within a different area of health (healthy eating; disability and physical activity; mental health in the workplace). References Clarke V, Braun V, Wooles K. Thou shalt not covet another man? Exploring constructions of same-sex and different-sex infidelity using story completion. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 2015;25:153–166. Tischner I. (in press). Tomorrow is the start of the rest of their life – so who cares about health? Exploring constructions of weight-loss motivations and health using story completion. Qualitative Research in Psychology.
Highlights
Story completion asks the participant to produce a story, in response to an open, sometimes ambiguous, scenario
Story completion has usually been used to research the meaning-worlds people occupy, exploring everyday sense-making in relation to topics such as infidelity[1] and health and weight loss.[2]
Aims/Objectives This paper provides an overview and introduction to story completion as a qualitative technique for health research, including a brief signal of key design concerns
Summary
Disabled people face a multitude of social barriers to leading a physically active lifestyle. These barriers include a lack of knowledge and understanding from healthcare professionals and exercise practitioners, and negative attitudes from others in sport and exercise settings. There is a need to explore constructions of physical activity and disability and the cultural narratives that operate within sport, exercise and health contexts. To explore sport and exercise science students’ constructions of physical activity and disability using story completion and BMJ Open 2019;9(Suppl 1):A1–A27
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
