Narrative Inquiry Research Articles

Building the Environment for Narrative Inquiry With Young People With Intellectual Disability

Narrative inquiry methods are central to qualitative research that seeks to understand phenomena through the lived experiences of research participants. This research used a form of narrative inquiry—storytelling, to invite four young people with intellectual disability referred to as the “story owners” to share their stories about sexuality and relationships. Through a reflexive approach, this article unpacks the relational and physical contexts that surrounded the narrative inquiry methods, which the researchers describe as the narrative environment. In this narrative environment, each story owner co-developed their story with an academic researcher. The research found that the key components of the narrative environment which were co-created somewhat differently by each story owner were space and place, objects, people, and relationships and communication. Take home messages provided in this research can assist novice researchers and co-researchers in their methodological approach to narrative research with people with intellectual disability.

Object lesson: Placenta/placentae

This article delves into the multifaceted nature of the placenta, both as a physiological organ and a cultural symbol, through personal narrative, Indigenous-feminist scholarship, and scientific inquiry. Beginning with the author’s pregnancy experience and reflections on birth practices, it navigates the placenta’s role in childbirth, its cultural significance, and the lack of discourse surrounding its importance. The inquiry expands to incorporate contemporary issues such as microplastic pollution and its presence in human placenta, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental pollution and colonialism. Through the lens of anticolonial science and art as ritual, the article proposes artful avenues for engaging with placenta/placentae as an object lesson and environmental activism, advocating for a deeper understanding of our relationship with the land.

Teachers' Role in Learner Autonomy in Large ELT Classrooms

The study aims to find out the role of learners’ autonomy in large ELT class. The learner autonomy is very important and played prominent role in large classroom to make learning effective and interesting and teachers' effectual strategies to generate autonomy in learners. This study adopted qualitative research approach with narrative inquiry design. Five teachers teaching in large classrooms were the respondents. Data for the study were taken by following in-depth interviews as well as the observations of three teachers. The findings suggest that it is very challenging to apply learner autonomy in large number of the students, but it is possible if the teachers have good patterns and techniques to apply it. It also found out that if there are autonomous learners, then the large number of the students don’t exist in trouble in teaching learning activities as it contains various possible intelligence.

Translanguaging: strengthening english teaching in ecuador through linguistic connections and bridging techniques

In this study, the potential of translanguaging to revolutionize English language education is investigated. Through a systematic literature review of 15 articles, the breadth of literature on translanguaging is explored, and aspects such as research contexts, age groups, and key findings are identified, along with highlighting gaps in the current understanding. The study reveals a growing interest in translanguaging within English Language Teaching, emphasizing its flexibility in different learning environments and its impact on language learning and identity development. While the research highlights the promise of these techniques, it also identifies limitations in the existing literature, such as the lack of age information, quantitative data, and generalizability. The study concludes that translanguaging and bridging techniques hold significant potential to bridge gaps in language education, particularly in multicultural and multilingual settings. To advance knowledge, future research should address these limitations and involve students in narrative inquiries, exploring the long-term effects of these pedagogical approaches.

Reckoning with epistemological and ontological dissonance: a narrative inquiry into settler Canadian professors’ experiences decolonizing and Indigenizing the academy

ABSTRACT The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action urge Canadian higher education (among other sectors of society) to learn the shameful truth about Indian Residential Schools and work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 1 Through narrative inquiry, non-Indigenous academics shared their experiences of a faculty learning community on Indigenization of their teaching and curricular practices. They each, subsequently, co-composed with the researcher a narrative account based on those experiences. This paper presents one of the resonant threads that arose from the analysis of those narrative accounts, namely: Epistemological and Ontological Dissonance.

VOICES OF RESILIENCE: REFLECTIONS OF UKRAINIAN SOCIAL WORKERS IN TIMES OF WAR

This article focuses on the challenges and adaptations faced by social workers in Ukraine in response to the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Employing a narrative research design, the article analyzes semi-structured interviews with 12 social workers from various regions of Ukraine, conducted during February-March 2024. These interviews aimed to collect in-depth personal recollections and experiences related to the impact of the war on social work practice. From the analysis of the gathered information, three key themes were identified: (1) reactions to the onset of the full-scale invasion and actions of social workers; (2) the manifestation of resilience by social institution workers in wartime; (3) lessons and prospects. The interviews revealed that, in wartime conditions, social workers face unprecedented difficulties, including the loss of documents by clients during evacuation, an increase in the number of vulnerable individuals, and risks to their own lives and health. Despite this, they demonstrate remarkable dedication to their mission, adapting to changing circumstances and continuing to provide essential support and assistance. The article examines how the military conflict affects the practice of social work, highlighting innovative approaches and adaptation strategies. Special attention is given to the need for developing standardized procedures for crisis situations, the importance of international cooperation and experience exchange, and the role of technology in supporting effective social work. Given the overall situation, the article offers recommendations for the further development and strengthening of the social work system in Ukraine. In particular, it emphasizes the necessity of preparing social workers for wartime conditions, including training in self-help and self-recovery techniques, engaging communities in mutual support, and the importance of optimistic hope and faith in the future as critical components of resilience.

In Conversation with Gary Barkhuizen about Language Teacher Identity

Gary Barkhuizen,Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Auckland, is a prominentscholar studying narrative inquiry and language teacher education. Withacademic roots spanning South Africa and New Zealand, his journey began withstudies at the University of Essex and Columbia University, where he earned hisMaster’s and Doctorate degrees, respectively. His influence extends far beyondhis classroom, with numerous publications in esteemed journals such as TESOLQuarterly, RELC Journal, and Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. Renownedfor his co-authored books such as “Analysing Learner Language” and “NarrativeInquiry in Language Teaching and Learning Research,” he continues to shapediscourse in applied linguistics with his work on language teacher identity. OnJanuary 16, 2024, he was interviewed by Huseyin Uysal. In their conversation,Gary reflects on pivotal career moments, emphasizing the power of connectionsin teaching. He explores the dynamic interplay of self-perception and externaldescriptions in identity formation, introducing facets like reflexive and projectedidentities. Dilemmic aspects during transitions, coping practices, and theimpact of early experiences on identity are discussed. Gary extends the focusto broader socio-political contexts, highlighting the influence of externalrealities. Regarding future research, he suggests exploring teachers ofmultiple languages, heritage languages, and Indigenous languages. He emphasizesthe need for self-study, addressing ideological spaces and practicalimplementation of identity research in language teacher education.@font-face{font-family:"Cambria Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:roman;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face{font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:swiss;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}@font-face{font-family:Georgia;panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:roman;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal{mso-style-unhide:no;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault{mso-style-type:export-only;mso-default-props:yes;mso-ascii-font-family:Georgia;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-font-kerning:0pt;mso-ligatures:none;}.MsoPapDefault{mso-style-type:export-only;margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:107%;}div.WordSection1{page:WordSection1;}

How Narrative Skills Associate With Peer Relations

Narrative skills are essential for children's social development. However, existing research primarily focuses on narratives' impact on children's cognitive abilities, with limited attention given to the relationship between narrative skills and peer interactions. This study aims to explore how oral and written narrative skills are associated with peer relations from a social perspective. 166 Chinese primary school children were randomly assigned to tasks of oral and written narratives, as well as peer nominations. Results indicate that grade 5 students performed significantly better than grade 3 students in both written and oral narrative tasks. Moreover, the level of written narrative proficiency surpassed that of oral skills. Significant interactions were also found among grade level, gender, and narrative modes. Crucially, narrative skills exhibited positive correlations with peer nominations, with stronger correlations seen for written narratives. These findings have important implications for narrative research and language instruction.

Enhancing students’ L2 writing skills online: a case study of an introductory English literature course for ESL students

Abstract This research paper is based on a case study of an introductory English literature course that is being offered at a community college in Hong Kong, China. The 2020–2021 cohort was unique as it had the entire course online using Zoom without any face-to-face or hybrid teaching, which was considered the “new normal” of higher education under the pandemic. This study employs narrative inquiry (Barkhuizen, G. (2014). Revisiting narrative frames: An instrument for investigating language teaching and learning. System, 47, 12–27; Clandinin, D. J. (2016). Engaging in narrative inquiry. Routledge), semi-structured interviews, and analysis of student essays to demonstrate that online essay consultations and collaborative writing are useful for enhancing the essay writing skills of second language learners. The paper specifically reports and highlights how individual Zoom essay consultations, together with collaborative writing on Padlet, scaffold and enhance students’ essay writing and critical thinking skills. Essentially, the paper argues that online technologies expand the dimension of literature education and empower it as a form of content-based ESL instruction for long-term use.

Narrative Inquiry into the Challenges of Implementing XR Technologies in Education: Voices from Future Hub 2023

This research explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies—comprising Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—within educational contexts. Utilizing a narrative inquiry methodology, this study draws upon the experiences and perspectives of participants at the Future Hub Forum 2023, a gathering of researchers, educators, and technologists specializing in immersive learning technologies. Through the collection and analysis of narrative materials, including interviews, presentations, and observational data, the study aims to elucidate the complex interplay of technological, pedagogical, and infrastructural challenges that influence the adoption and effective use of XR technologies in education. Key findings reveal significant barriers to widespread XR integration, including issues of access and affordability, which exacerbate existing digital divides; challenges in training and securing buy-in from stakeholders; content creation and deployment hurdles; and infrastructural and administrative obstacles. Despite these challenges, the study also uncovers a collective optimism about the transformative potential of XR technologies to revolutionize pedagogical approaches and learning outcomes, provided these barriers can be overcome. The implications of this research extend beyond the immediate context of XR technology implementation, offering insights into broader questions of educational equity, the evolving landscape of digital pedagogy, and the future of immersive learning experiences. By highlighting the voices and experiences of those at the forefront of XR adoption in education, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the conditions necessary for the successful integration of these technologies into diverse educational settings. Through its narrative approach, the study also underscores the value of storytelling and personal narratives in uncovering the nuanced realities of educational technology adoption, offering a rich, contextualized perspective that quantitative methods alone may not capture.

LGBTQ + POC Experiences of Meaning-Making to Externalize Oppression: A Critical Narrative Inquiry

LGBTQ + POC Experiences of Meaning-Making to Externalize Oppression: A Critical Narrative Inquiry

A Narrative Inquiry of Longevity Within Black Same-Gender Loving Male Romantic Relationships

A Narrative Inquiry of Longevity Within Black Same-Gender Loving Male Romantic Relationships

Thai School Directors’ Lived Experiences and Attitudes Towards Global Englishes: Do They Impact Hiring Foreign National Teachers?

Research on language attitudes towards Global Englishes in many contexts has focused on teachers and learners. However, limited research has paid attention to school directors even though they are in a vital position to make changes at the school. This study explored the school director’s lived experiences, attitudes toward Global Englishes, and how their attitudes impact hiring foreign national teachers. Utilizing a narrative inquiry design, three school directors from different school sizes, levels, and types were interviewed multiple times per person to ensure data saturation. The findings showed that all school directors demonstrated standard language and native speakerism ideologies formed earlier in their schooling experiences, especially in English classes. Regardless of positive or negative English learning experiences, they developed an entrenched belief that English should be taught by ‘native speakers.’ Yet, the decision to hire foreign national teachers was not simply influenced by their lived experiences and attitudes toward Global Englishes. Instead, it was affected by the school budget, the level of students, and parents’ expectations. Above all, one troubled concern materialized – hiring someone who looked ‘native.’ Implications were discussed moving forward when considering implementing the Global Englishes paradigm.

파견교사의 수학체험센터 운영 경험에 관한 내러티브 탐구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the meaning of dispatched teachers’ experiences of operating a Math Experience Center and explore the implications of these findings for their perceptions and practices as teachers. Methods This study conducted a narrative inquiry to vividly capture the changes in the life and qualities of teachers through the experience of operating the mathematics experience center of dispatched teachers and to comprehensively understand them. In-depth interviews were conducted three times each for two secondary school mathematics teachers with more than one year of experience working at the mathematics experience center, and field texts were collected by visiting the center in person. Starting with the teaching experience that chose dispatched work, the research results were presented by categorizing them into teachers, dispatched teachers, and individual areas based on spatiality and relationship. Results Through the operation of the Math Experience Center, the dispatched teachers experienced a change in their perception of themselves and growth as ‘education professionals’ by improving their subject expertise. These experiences led to, first, a role shift from a ‘made teacher’ to a ‘making teacher’ while searching for a direction for mathematics education; second, an attitude shift from a ‘teacher who teaches’ to a ‘teacher who learns and strives’ while recognizing the subjectivity of status; and third, an identity growth from a ‘subject matter expert’ to an ‘education expert’ through relationship formation and changes in the work environment. Conclusions This study confirmed that the educational achievements gained by teachers through subjective status and challenges in the new educational environment change their perception of themselves and activate target behaviors, contributing to the improvement of teachers' professionalism and educational practice.

학생 행위주체성(Student Agency) 형성과정에 대한 미인가(未認可) 대안학교 졸업생들의 내러티브 연구

This study explored the experiences and meanings of the process of forming agency among students at an unauthorized alternative school. A narrative research method was used, with stories about learning experiences at an alternative school and life experiences after graduation as the main research data. The research questions were as follows: How is student agency expressed in the learning experiences of alternative school students? How is agency integrated into graduates’ lives? What educational meaning is inherent in alternative school students’ agency? The results indicated the following. First, graduates initially began with their personal interests in the process of emerging developing agency; they went through a period of self-reflection. Second, they created opportunities for self-expansion by meeting various people both inside and outside the school. Third, the participants critically reflected on the values they learned in alternative schools after graduation and integrated them with deliberations on what a good life is for them and the world. Fourth, teachers were specific and meaningful beings who fostered student agency. Fifth, agency is not fixed, but is fluid depending on the circumstances of the community of practice.

On the Lived Experiences and Identity Development of Homosexual Students

This paper documents the lived experiences of homosexual students and their identity development in Southern Leyte. The informants were gathered through purposive sampling and were interviewed face-to-face. Data were collected from the informants through a researcher-made questionnaire. A narrative inquiry method was utilized, where researcher-made questionnaires were used as a guide for the face-to-face interviews. It was identified that homosexuals have difficulty disclosing their sexuality to others due to various reasons. It was also noted that acceptance of homosexuals was a major factor in achieving their sexual identity. Some homosexuals disclosed that they believed their homosexuality was innate and inborn, indicating that they felt they were born to be homosexuals. Given the results of this study, it is recommended that respect for individuality, acceptance, and an open-minded attitude be extended to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Affective Ambush: An Autotheoretical Approach to Understanding Emotions as Useful to the Research Process

ABSTRACT This essay considers the use of emotions in life narrative research. Using autotheory the authors recount and reflect on their experiences of a phenomenon they are tentatively calling ‘affective ambush’, wherein during the course of research the researcher unexpectedly experiences significantly heightened affect—or ‘big feelings’—stimulated by research materials. Drawing on Sarah Ahmed, they position sites of affective ambush as feminist spaces of encounter that yield rich data accessible through embodied modes of enquiry such as autotheory and autocriticism. As such, in this essay they seek to trouble and problematise the dominant detached and ‘objective’ academic position, and investigate how moving outside of this paradigm has unique implications for scholars of life narrative, trauma and grief. They propose instances of ‘affective ambush’ as sources of affective information that, if integrated into the research process, can reveal new insights about the texts and subjects that we investigate as life narrative scholars.

What’s up doc? Physicians’ reflections on their sustainable employability throughout careers: a narrative inquiry

BackgroundPhysicians have complex and demanding jobs that may negatively affect their sustainable employability (SE) and quality of care. Despite its societal and occupational relevance, empirical research on physicians’ SE is scarce. To further advance our understanding of physicians’ SE, this study explores how physicians perceive their employment context to affect their SE, how physicians self-regulate with the intent to sustain their employability, and how self-regulations affect physicians’ SE and their employment context.MethodsTwenty Dutch physicians from different specialisms were narratively interviewed between March and September 2021 by a researcher with a similar background (surgeon) to allow participants to speak in their own jargon. The interviews were analyzed collaboratively by the research team in accordance with theory-led thematic analysis.ResultsAccording to the interviewees, group dynamics, whether positive or negative, and (mis)matches between personal professional standards and group norms on professionalism, affect their SE in the long run. Interviewees self-regulate with the intent to sustain their employability by (I) influencing work; (II) influencing themselves; and (III) influencing others. Interviewees also reflect on long-term, unintended, and dysfunctional consequences of their self-regulations.ConclusionsWe conclude that physicians’ SE develops from the interplay between the employment context in which they function and their self-regulations intended to sustain employability. As self-regulations may unintentionally contribute to dysfunctional work practices in the employment context, there is a potential for a vicious cycle. Insights from this study can be used to understand and appraise how physicians self-regulate to face complex challenges at work and to prevent both dysfunctional work practices that incite self-regulation and dysfunctional consequences resulting from self-regulations.

Exploration and Practice of Narrative Moral Education in Primary Schools

In combination with the key experimental project of Guangdong Province "Research on Narrative Moral Education Model in Primary Schools" carried out by the school, this paper carries out theoretical discussion according to the application principles of narrative moral education, analyzes the meaning of narrative moral education, determines the research objectives and contents of the project, formulates research approaches, proves the necessity and importance of narrative moral education research through practice, and also raises the understanding of research on narrative moral education.

"Connecting the Dots” for Recruiting Secondary Science Teachers in Urban Schools: An Exploration of Career Choice for Undergraduate Science Majors

AbstractDespite critical shortages of secondary science teachers in urban schools, relatively little research has focused on the recruitment of undergraduate science majors to teach in urban contexts. This study utilized a retrospective narrative inquiry methodology to explore the career pathways of 14 undergraduate science majors into secondary science teaching. The primary data source was interviews that were conducted at the beginning of an urban teacher education program. Interviews were analyzed through the framework of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to identify the characteristics, beliefs, and experiences that featured prominently in their narrativizations of their career pathway into urban science education. Findings highlight a non-linear process of career choice characterized by three themes: rejecting traditional science careers, reevaluating their interests and skills for teaching, and prioritizing socially oriented career goals. Implications for enhancing the recruitment of undergraduate science majors into urban science teaching include transforming undergraduate science majors to value teaching careers and taking a more community-based approach to science teacher recruitment.