Turn to Biographical Methods in Social Science

Biographical research methods have become a useful and popular tool for contemporary social scientists. This book combines an exploration of the historical and philosophical origins of this field of qualitative research with comparative examples of the different ways that biographical methods have been successfully applied internationally. Through these many illustrative examples of socio-biography in process, the authors show how formal textual analysis, whilst uncovering hidden emotional defences, can also shed light on wider historical processes of societal transformation. Topics discussed include: individual and linked lives; generational change; political influences on memory and identity; biographical work in reflexive societies; narrativity and empowerment in professional practice; and ways of theorizing and generalising from case studies. This book seeks to promote debate and provide opportunities for students and researchers to widen their uses of narrative research.

Prue Chamberlayne is Director of The Centre for Biography in Social Policy at the University of East London; Joana Bornat is Senior Lecturer in the department of Health and Social Policy at the Open University; Tom Wengraf is Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Social Research Methods at Middlesex University.