Narrative analysis

This chapter focuses on the use of narrative analysis within qualitative sport research. This chapter begins by exploring and understanding what is meant by the term ‘narrative’ and how this differs from stories. Next, the umbrella approach of narrative analysis is defined before turning to focus on specific types that sit beneath this, including thematic narrative analysis, structural narrative analysis and dialogical narrative analysis. This is followed by a brief discussion examining the reasons for using narrative analysis within qualitative sport research, before concluding with a researcher vignette that offers an applied example and reflections on using narrative analysis within a qualitative sport research project. At the end of this chapter, helpful further reading is also offered for any students new to narrative analysis and/or considering the use of narrative analysis within their own research project.