Narratives and Fictions in Educational Research

by Clough, Peter

• ISBN13: 9780335207916
• ISBN10: 033520791X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

"In this bold and very important work, Peter Clough shows how the truths about educational issues can be told using fictional devices. This work legitimates the narrative turn in the human disciplines. He shows educational researchers how narrative inquiry can be used for progressive moral and political purposes". -Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThis compelling book takes a fresh approach to educational research, considering the role and use of literary and ethnographic approaches. There is growing interest in the use of narrative and fictional methods and this book sets out to:* locate narrative and fictional methods within the traditions of education research;* exemplify the use of narrative in studies of educational and social settings; * explain the processes of composing narrative and fictional researchA distinctive feature of the book is the inclusion of five 'fictional' stories which demonstrate the use of narrative in reporting research. Detailed discussion of these five stories shows how they were created from actual events and the varied role of the author in their creation. The methodological implications of such an approach are considered along with its potential merits and difficulties and its possible uses.

Author Biography

Before moving to the University of Sheffield, Peter Clough taught for many years in a number of mainstream and special schools as well as overseas. He is a core member of the Department's Inclusive Education courses. His teaching and research interests include: special and inclusive education policy, pupil experience, school curricula and teachers' careers.

Most recently he has focused on disseminating his research findings through biographical and fictional forms of ethnographic writing. Current publications include international journal articles which explore emerging methodologies in the social sciences.

Table of Contents

Series editor's preface	ix
Acknowledgements	xiv
Preface: The Man with the Blue Guitar	1	(3)
Stories from educational settings: an introduction	4	(7)
The structure of the book	5	(1)
How to read this book	6	(1)
Writing stories from educational settings	7	(4)
The map is not the terrain . . .	11	(9)
Methods and maps	13	(3)
Language and identity	16	(2)
Stories of `truths': senses composed	18	(1)
Note	19	(1)
Klaus	20	(5)
Molly	25	(12)
Rob	37	(11)
Bev	48	(6)
Lolly: the final word	54	(6)
Hard to tell: reading the stories	60	(21)
Introduction	60	(1)
A reading of Klaus	61	(4)
A reading of Molly	65	(4)
A reading of Rob	69	(4)
A reading of Bev	73	(4)
A reading of Lolly	77	(3)
Note	80	(1)
Narratives of educational practice	81	(6)
`To the things themselves!'	87	(14)
The experience of meaning	88	(1)
Consciousness provides objects	88	(2)
The particular and the general	90	(1)
`To the things themselves!' (Husserl 1960)	91	(1)
The problem of evaluation	92	(3)
Fiction and social research: a sketch	95	(6)
References	101	(5)
Index	106