Researching Life Stories and Family Histories: 137 (Introducing Qualitative Methods series) - Hardcover

Miller, Robert Lee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761960910 ISBN 13: 9780761960911

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

`A comprehensive, balanced and judicious treatment of biographical methods in social research, made all the more useful to students by its careful delineation of the practicalities involved' - Raymond M Lee, Royal Holloway, University of London

Specifically designed for those carrying out biographical, life history or family history research, this concise guide covers the methods and issues involved.

The author demonstrates that biographical research is a distinctive way of conceptualizing social activity. The three main approaches to biographical and family history research are covered:

- Realist - focused around grounded-theory techniques of interviewing;

- Neo-positivist - more structured interview techniques;

- Narrative - with emphasis on the active construction of life stories through the interplay between interviewer and interviewee.

An invaluable introduction to the field, which contains much that will be of interest to the experienced practitioner, the book will be ideal for researchers in sociology, psychology, political science, social policy or anthropology.

About this title

Review:

`A comprehensive, balanced and judicious treatment of biographical methods in social research, made all the more useful to students by its careful delineation of the practicalities involved' - Raymond M Lee, Royal Holloway, University of London

From the Author:

This book began life as an advanced undergraduate course in which I had my students collect a family history based upon life history interviews. This material was used as the basis for linking the Sociology courses they had had over their undergraduate teaching with their own personal experiences and history. The course was very popular and successful and led eventually to Researching Life Stories and Family Histories.
The exercises in the book have been tested on several generations of students and provide a basis for private reflection and class discussion.

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0761960910
• ISBN 13: 9780761960911
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192