A Narrative Inquiry Approach to Conducting Research Into Sexual Violence and Analyzing Narratives Using the Listening Guide

Abstract

This case study draws upon a qualitative study of sexual violence experienced by Nigerian women living in England. The study was guided by a feminist methodological approach. In this case study, narrative inquiry is discussed, while demonstrating that narrative inquiry not only aligns with feminist perspectives but fits women’s mode of making sense of their experiences of violence. The recruitment methods are set out, along with reflexively discussing how the study opened up questions in relation to my “insider/outsider” status. Feminist researchers who advocate the use of qualitative methods such as narrative interviews have also drawn attention to the ethical considerations that are inseparable from such research methods. For this study, these included issues relating to informed consent and confidentiality, and the practice of minimizing harm on participants and the researcher. I also discuss the ethical dilemma of power relations in narrative interviews, along with the practicalities of conducting narrative interviews on a sensitive topic. I provide a discussion of how I applied the Listening Guide (LG) in analyzing narrative data, including the limitations to be aware of when using the LG in analyzing narrative data.