Exploring the Purposes of Fictionalization in Narrative Inquiry. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caine, Vera; Murphy, M. Shaun; Estefan, Andrew; Clandinin, D. Jean; Steeves, Pamela; Huber, Janice
• Is Part Of: Qualitative inquiry. Volume 23:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: narrative inquiry -- fictionalizing -- ethics -- imagination; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1077800416643997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8004

Abstract

Drawing on several studies we take up question about fictionalization in this article. In particular, we are interested in the intentions and purposes of fictionalization and discus these within the context of narrative inquiry. We draw attention to how fictionalizing has become a common and often unquestioned part of responding to concerns about anonymity raised by research ethics boards. We see three purposes for fictionalization: (a) protection of the identities of participants, (b) creation of distance between ourselves and our experiences, and (c) a way to engage in imagination that enriches inquiry spaces and research understandings.