Narrative Networks
Storied Approaches in a Digital Age
- Brian Alleyne - Goldsmiths, University of London, UK, University of London, UK
Communication Research Methods | Research Methods (General) | Sociological Research Methods
"We are invited to think about the now ubiquitous everyday practices of interpreting and producing narratives across a range of modalities. The result is a text that inspires readers to think in new ways about narratives, invites them to analyse narrative texts available on the Web and, for those who wish, suggests how best to employ specialist software."
- Ann Phoenix, Institute of Education, University of London
"It’s high time we have a book like this. Brian Alleyne has managed to produce the best, clearest, and most comprehensive overview of narrative theory for social scientists I have yet to see. I wish I’d had access to a book like this when I was a student. It would have made my life so much easier. It will surely become the universally recognised go-to book on the subject."
- David Graeber, London School of Economics & Political Science
Narrative is a fundamental means whereby we make sense of our own lives and of the world around us. The stories we tell, and are being told, shape our identities, relationships and world-views. In a rapidly changing digital society where blogging and social networking have become fundamental communication channels, the platforms for the creation and exchange of all kinds of narratives have greatly expanded.
Illustrated with examples from a range of fields and disciplines as well as the author’s own work on hacking cultures and cultural activism, this title is a must for anyone wanting to learn about narrative approaches in social research and how to conduct successful narrative research in a digital age.
In a context where both narrative research and analysis of social media are burgeoning, Narrative Networks achieves something new by examining the multiple ways in which narratives and information technology interweave. Drawing on his extensive experience of digital technology, Alleyne crafts a scholarly text that presents ontology, epistemology, literature and history in engaging and insightful ways. We are invited to think about the now ubiquitous everyday practices of interpreting and producing narratives across a range of modalities. The result is a text that inspires readers to think in new ways about narratives, invites them to analyse narrative texts available on the Web and, for those who wish, suggests how best to employ specialist software.
It’s high time we have a book like this. Brian Alleyne has managed to produce the best, clearest, and most comprehensive overview of narrative theory for social scientists I have yet to see. I wish I’d had access to a book like this when I was a student. It would have made my life so much easier. It will surely become the universally recognised go-to book on the subject.
The templates and examples are very concrete and up-to-date; a researcher new to this field would really be able to kickstart his work with them. Alleyne uses an inviting style of writing; in fact, just as he advocates in one of the chapters. I found many positive aspects to this book, and do not hesitate to recommend it.
Helpful for research students at L6
We are a group of staff who are looking to maintain the currency of our learning and teaching practices and this text has helped us and our students gain insight into new approaches.
We are a group of staff who are looking to maintain the currency of our learning and teaching practices and this text has helped us and our students gain insight into new approaches.
We are a group of staff who are aiming to maintain the currency of our teaching and learning practices and this text has been a valuable resource for providing insights to new practices.
although this is an interesting book, it is too specific for using it in a general course on qualitative methods.
This book is very accessible, yet sophisticated. It is excellent for all narrative research students, whether they intend to use e-sources or not.
It supports research in this area
