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The Community Narration (CN) Approach: Understanding a Group's Identity and Cognitive Constructs through Personal and
Bradley D Olson1, Leonard A Jason
1Community Psychology, National-Louis University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice
|November 14, 2013
Summary
Community program evaluations can be sensitive. A new narrative technique, Community Narration (CN), uses personal stories to empower organizations and guide research, fostering collective psychology.
Area of Science:
- Community psychology
- Organizational development
- Program evaluation
Background:
- Community-based organizations often develop independently, lacking external expertise.
- Effective program evaluation requires sensitivity to organizational history, beliefs, and identity.
- Traditional evaluation methods can be hierarchical and unidirectional.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and describe a participatory, narrative technique called Community Narration (CN).
- To offer an alternative evaluation approach that respects organizational evolution and identity.
- To explore the potential of narrative methods in community program assessment.
Main Methods:
- Developed and utilized a participatory, narrative technique named Community Narration (CN).
- Employed personal stories and community narratives as an entry point for evaluation.
- Focused on respecting the historical context and unique constructs of community groups.
Main Results:
- Community participants successfully used the CN technique.
- Participants found the narrative approach enriching.
- The constructs generated through CN facilitated discussions and member-guided research.
Conclusions:
- Community Narration (CN) is an effective participatory method for understanding organizations.
- Narrative techniques can avoid hierarchical evaluation, promoting collective psychology and identity.
- CN empowers community members and stimulates organization-focused research.
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