Nordic conference in Nursing Research

Title: It is all about stories – on the use of narrative approaches in nursing research

Background:  Nursing researchers often use the expression “to give voice to” in their publications. In collecting data in-depth interviews are often used where the research participants are asked to narrate their stories.  From a constructionist/constructivist perspective narrations do not represent reality, i.e. are not absolute true stories. But represent what we are, how we see something and what this means to us. Consequently, when people tell a story about themselves it is the voice of their lived experience that is heard. This story is open for interpretation, and for the researcher to analyze and publish so the main findings can be shared by others.

Objective: The aim is to present approaches used in nursing research from a caring and phenomenological- hermeneutic and narrative perspective. 

Method: A brief overview of various narrative approaches used in data collection processes, analyses and mediation of findings will be presented.

Results: The presentation will focus on locating my research work within the narrative perspective through giving examples from my own research. Moreover, narrative interviewing and the act of reading, following, analyzing and presenting a story will be reflected on.

Conclusion and implication for practice: Narrative approach is both an academic exercise but serves everyday practical issues in nursing and ordinary life. As nursing research often uses qualitative research methods narrative theory and praxis are important aspects in PhD-programmes and in nursing research.