The auto/biographical approach in qualitative research

Abstract

Thesis. Qualitative research, regarded by many researchers as subjectivistic and therefore unreliable, is one of many ways leading to objective cognition.

 Discussed concepts. In the article the author discusses the concept of Susan E. Chase regarding narrative interview and the concept of narrative identity in the biographical interview of Dan McAdams. It also describes both the autobiographical approach and the auto/biographical approach, indicating the significant differences between them. Additionally, it provides examples of the application of both approaches.

 Results and conclusions. Owing to biographies and autobiographies, the researcher has the opportunity to learn about the situational, environmental and historical context of the studied phenomenon. Auto/biographical narratives also provide knowledge about shaping one’s mental life and the entirety of human personality.

 Originality. Auto/biographical surveys are successfully used in adult education. They perform many important functions, including cognitive, critical, educational, unmasking, and therapeutic.