(Re)fractional narrative inquiry: A methodological adaptation for exploring stories. Issue 1 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guthrie, Kate
• Is Part Of: Methodological innovations. Volume 15:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Narrative inquiry adaptations -- (re)fractional inquiry -- co-negotiation; Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/20597991221077902
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7991

Abstract

Narrative inquiry is relational inquiry in which inquirers come alongside the living, telling, re-living, and re-telling of stories . In this article, I present how I adapted narrative inquiry to explore parent perspectives of their gifted adolescent daughters' experiences of belonging. At the time, I was conducting this study as part of my doctoral dissertation work and as a novice researcher, I struggled with (1) gaining access by a school district to interview adolescent students, (2) believing I could relationally come alongside adolescents as an outsider, and (3) questioning their developmental ability to think reflectively about their stories of belonging. Ultimately, I had to rethink my narrative inquiry approach. Here in this article, I share how I re-conceptualized my methodological approach as (re)fractional narrative inquiry to better understand gifted girls' experiences from the perspectives of those who have relationally lived alongside them. I also present the context and methods of the study, provide a sample of co-negotiated narratives, discuss justifications of my inquiry, and conclude with reflections and evaluations of my adaptations.