Narrative Technique of Interviewing

• Author: Scarneci-Domnisoru, F.
• Position: Department of Social Sciences and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 21-28

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 6 (55) No. 1 - 2013

NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE OF

INTERVIEWING

Florentina SCÂRNECI-DOMNIŞORU1

Abstract: The paper herein submits the narrative techniqu e of the

interview. This is a data-collection technique, used in qualitative research,

being specific to narrative researches (of the biographical or oral history

type). This article presents when it is used, how it is applied and describes

concrete contexts of knowledge wherein the author resorted to the narrative

interview. It is a technique yielding rich, complex data; leaving the subjects

to take control of the interview.

Key words: qualitative research, narrative research, narrative interview.

1 Department of Social Sciences and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov.

1. Introduction

The paper submits the technique of the

narrative interview. I will explain how it is

applied, in what context, the type of data it

produces and why I deem it worthy of

being applied in the framework of social

researches. Likewise, I will describe how I

applied the narrative technique of the

interview within various knowledge-

production contexts.

In social sciences, in terms of qualitative

approach, the narrative inquiry or narrative

research has developed. Since the nineties,

one can even speak of a current: “the

narrative turn in understanding

experience”. They refer to data collection

as narration (for instance autobiographies,

notebooks, letters, field notes etc.) and to

their “narrative” analysis. In this paper, I

will dwell upon the interviewing technique

facilitating the data production in guise of

story.

The narrative interview exploits the

social-science subjects’ skill to verbally

express themselves. However, not giving

them choice-answers in interrogative

research situations, but allowing them to

speak freely and in unguided manner.

Narrative data have become

indispensable in understanding past

experiences and events; the subjects’

detailed and vivid descriptions cannot be

accessed as efficiently with other research

methods and techniques.

2. When using the narrative interview

The technique of narrative interview

appeared and has developed in the

framework of the qualitative approach of

socio-humanities. The qualitative research

has brought along a new modality to

approach the subjects, with less intricate

guides, without predefined-answer

surveys, with the subjects’ greater freedom

to express themselves, with significant

restraint of the control by the researcher on

the subjects.

The narrative interview is a technique

not imposing strict discourse guidelines on

the subjects, encouraging them to be the