Full Description
First-person narratives are a fundamental tool of the qualitative researcher. One of the latest volumes in the Qualitative Research Methods series, The Life Story Interview provides specific suggestions and guidelines for preparing and executing a life story interview. Author Robert Atkinson, Director of the Center for the Study of Lives at the University of Southern Maine, places the life story interview into a wider research context before moving on to planning and conducting the interview. Atkinson carefully covers the classic functions of stories, the research uses of life stories, generating data from a life story, and the art and science of life story interviewing. He also thoroughly examines the potential benefits of sharing a life story, getting the information desired and questions to ask, and transcribing and interpreting the interview. To provide further support for the reader, the book concludes with a sample life story interview.
As the use and study of narratives continues to grow in importance throughout the research enterprise, The Life Story Interview becomes an even-more valuable tool for qualitative researchers in all disciplines.
Contents
PART ONE: CONTEXTS AND USES OF LIFE STORIES
Stories in Context
The Life Story in Disciplinary Context
What a Life Story Is
The Classic Functions of Stories
The Research Uses of Life Stories
Generating Data from a Life Story
The Art and Science of Life Story Interviewing
PART TWO: PLANNING THE INTERVIEW
The Potential Benefits of Sharing a Life Story
Basic Interview Guidelines
The Morals of the Story
PART THREE: DOING THE INTERVIEW
Getting the Information You Want
Questions To Ask
PART FOUR: INTERPRETING THE INTERVIEW
Transcription
Interpretation
PART FIVE: CONCLUSION
