Narrative Research as a Qualitative Research Method

Narrative research, being one of the novel approaches here under qualitative research has been introduced as an independent and unique approach in social sciences since1990s. The present study which represents a kind of method, investigates certain aspects of the experienced and narrated human life and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of these experiences which are gained from dialogues and participation in the life of participants within a social and cultural context. Narrative research emphasizes on the way people give meaning to their experiences through the stories which they narrate. This paper aims to feature a brief introduction of narrative research as a specific type of the qualitative research method, through which one can describe some of the social relations in activist's life. To achieve this goal, first, the conceptual context of narrative and its applications, and then the basic assumptions of the study, data collection methods, types of data analysis and validation criteria are examined. Finally this approach is criticized and examined.