Narrative Inquiry: A Novel Analytical Process

This case details a narrative inquiry into the experiences of early career researcher pathways. I conducted conversations with eight early career researchers from three different continents to collect the data for the study. During the study I developed and applied to my data a novel jigsaw analytical process. That process exposes tensions within experience and supports the creation of future possibilities. My study identified future pathway possibilities for early career researchers. One pathway developed researcher identities leading to the more effective use of time. Another built researcher collaborative capacity expanding social networks and opportunities. The other pathway saw online strategies enriching researchers’ virtual work places.

Effective narrative inquiry relies on specific tools; my study included a research puzzle, ethical conduct, narrative thinking, and application of a novel jigsaw analytical process. Articulating a research puzzle gives scope and focus to a research study. Ethical conduct ensures that research design is rigorous and effective in its enactment of methods and methodologies. Analysis of the data in narrative inquiry involves narrative thinking on the commonplaces of temporality, society and place. Narrative thinking on the commonplaces ensures consistent and deep analysis of experience and reveals tensions. Application of my jigsaw analytical process revealed and addressed tensions identified in narratives to inform the creation of possible early career researcher pathway futures