What does narrative analysis focus on in qualitative research?

Narrative analysis is a qualitative research method that emphasizes understanding how individuals construct and convey their experiences through storytelling. This approach centers on the ways respondents impose order on their experiences by organizing their narratives and interpreting their life events. It recognizes the significance of personal and social context, exploring how stories are structured and the meanings attached to them.

By focusing on the narratives provided by participants, researchers can gain insights into the values, beliefs, and cultural influences that shape their experiences. This method allows for a rich, in-depth understanding of individual perspectives, highlighting how personal accounts reflect broader social narratives and psychological processes. Ultimately, narrative analysis seeks to capture the essence of lived experiences as articulated by the participants themselves, making it particularly valuable in fields such as psychology where subjective understanding is essential.