ABSTRACT
In this chapter, narrative inquiry in nursing is situated within the broader context of natural inquiry during the last quarter century. Although stories are a phenomenon of interest across multiple research methodologies, this chapter was predominantly influenced by an ethnographic lens. The discussion focuses on individual stories, in particular, limited genre, a common form of social discourse identified within research data bases. We begin with the description of narrative inquiry from the perspective of major authors in this area. The common classifications and features of stories are then detailed, followed by models of narrative analysis. The ongoing controversy regarding the legitimacy of narrative as a research method is presented. We conclude the chapter with a discussion of the state of narrative inquiry within nursing research and an example of narrative inquiry.
