This book introduces a methodology for the construction of a comprehensive narrative description and narrative-based theory from the study of multiple populations. The book has two parallel foci. On the one hand, it is a conceptual treatise, focusing on the principles of the Multiple Case Narrative. On the other hand, it also has a practical "how-to" focus with a step-by-step guide to conducting a Multiple Case Narrative. The book is accessible and comprehensive and addresses both those in the field as well as those with little background in the methodologies of narrative study and qualitative research.This book is also relevant to those who are interested in other qualitative varieties like single and collective narrative inquiry, single and collective case study, as well as ethnography, because each of the procedures and techniques described here can be easily utilized for conducting other types of qualitative research.

Table of contents

Introduction xiii–xv 1. The research assumptions of the multiple case narrative 1–13 2. Multiple case narrative and comparable research strategies 15–27 3. Conceptual perspectives, research questions and design 29–43 4. The principles of data collection 45–57 5. Methods of data collection 59–78 6. Principles of data analysis 79–94 7. The initial stage of analysis 95–102 8. The mapping stage of analysis 103–119 9. The focused stage of analysis 121–130 10. The theoretical stages of analysis: The narrative-based theory 131–142 11. Second-order theoretical analysis 143–155 12. The multiple case narrative report 157–178 13. Standard of trustworthiness 179–194 References 195–203 Index 204–210