The term "Narrative Inquiry" refers to a research approach that aims to understand and interpret the stories or narratives that people share about their experiences. Narrative inquiry involves collecting and analyzing personal stories or narratives to gain insights into individuals' lived experiences, beliefs, values, and perspectives. In narrative inquiry, researchers view stories as a fundamental way through which individuals construct and make sense of their reality. The focus is on understanding the meaning and significance of these stories for the individuals telling them. Researchers conducting narrative inquiry may use various data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, or document analysis, to gather narratives from participants. These narratives are then analyzed using various techniques, such as thematic analysis or narrative analysis, to identify key themes and patterns within the stories. The goal of narrative inquiry is not to generalize findings to a larger population but rather to gain a deep understanding of individual experiences and the broader context in which those experiences occur. By examining the narratives of individuals, researchers can uncover the complexities and nuances of human experiences and explore the multiple perspectives and interpretations that exist within a given context. Overall, narrative inquiry provides a rich and qualitative approach to research that centers on the power of storytelling and the importance of individual voices in understanding human experiences.
