Moving From Field Text to Research Text in Narrative Inquiry: A Study Exemplar

Area of Science:

• Qualitative Research Methods
• Nursing Research
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Narrative Inquiry is a qualitative methodology.
• It facilitates exploration of lived experiences through a unique analytical framework.
• Understanding the process is crucial for effective application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the researcher's process of transforming field texts into research text using Narrative Inquiry.
• To illustrate the application of Narrative Inquiry in understanding nurses' experiences with organizational change.
• To highlight unique analytical devices within Narrative Inquiry.

Main Methods:

• The study employs Narrative Inquiry as its core methodology.
• It involves moving from field texts to narrative accounts, identifying resonant threads, and constructing a composite letter.
• The research text is further represented as a poem, with a letter used as an analytic device.

Main Results:

• The inquiry demonstrates a structured process for conducting Narrative Inquiry.
• It provides insights into how nurses navigate living their values during organizational change.
• A novel use of a letter as an analytic device in Narrative Inquiry is presented.

Conclusions:

• Narrative Inquiry offers a robust framework for exploring complex human experiences.
• The detailed process facilitates the transformation of raw data into meaningful research.
• The study contributes practical insights for researchers and healthcare professionals.