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An Introduction to Critical Event Narrative Analysis in Research, Teaching, and Practice

Allen Parker

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Published in Using Narrative Inquiry As A Research Method: An Introduction To Critical Event Narrative Analysis In Research Teaching And Professional Practice

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Critical event narrative analysis (CENA) is a qualitative research method that focuses on the analysis of stories or narratives about critical or significant events in people's lives. CENA is based on the assumption that stories are not simply objective accounts of what happened, but rather are constructed and interpreted by individuals in ways that reflect their values, beliefs, and experiences. As such, CENA seeks to understand not only the events themselves, but also the meanings that people make of them.

CENA has been used in a wide range of research areas, including psychology, sociology, education, and healthcare. It has been used to study topics such as trauma, resilience, social work, counseling, education, and organizational studies.

The CENA process typically involves the following steps:

Using Narrative Inquiry as a Research Method: An Introduction to Critical Event Narrative Analysis in Research, Teaching and Professional Practice

by C. C. Hunter

4.5 out of 5

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Collection of narratives. Narratives can be collected through interviews, focus groups, or written accounts.
Transcription and analysis of narratives. Narratives are transcribed and then analyzed using a variety of qualitative research methods.
Identification of themes and patterns. The researcher identifies themes and patterns in the narratives that reflect the participants' experiences and meanings.
Interpretation of findings. The researcher interprets the findings in light of existing theory and research.

CENA can be a powerful tool for research, teaching, and practice. It can help researchers to gain a deep understanding of the experiences of individuals and groups. It can also help teachers to develop more effective teaching strategies and practitioners to develop more effective interventions.

Here are some specific examples of how CENA has been used in research, teaching, and practice:

Research: CENA has been used to study a wide range of topics, including trauma, resilience, social work, counseling, education, and organizational studies. For example, CENA has been used to study the experiences of survivors of sexual assault, the impact of poverty on children, and the effectiveness of different teaching methods.
Teaching: CENA can be used to teach students about a variety of topics, including qualitative research methods, critical thinking, and social justice. For example, CENA can be used to teach students how to analyze stories and narratives, how to identify and challenge biases, and how to apply research findings to real-world problems.
Practice: CENA can be used to inform practice in a variety of settings, including social work, counseling, education, and healthcare. For example, CENA can be used to help social workers develop more effective interventions for clients who have experienced trauma, to help counselors develop more effective coping mechanisms for clients who are struggling with depression, and to help teachers develop more effective teaching strategies for students who are struggling with learning.

CENA is a powerful tool that can be used to gain a deep understanding of the experiences of individuals and groups. It can be used to inform research, teaching, and practice in a variety of settings.

If you are interested in learning more about CENA, there are a number of resources available. The following books and articles provide a good to the method:

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Lieblich, A., & McLeod, J. (2008). Narrative research: Reading, analysis, and interpretation. London: Sage.

Using Narrative Inquiry as a Research Method: An Introduction to Critical Event Narrative Analysis in Research, Teaching and Professional Practice

by C. C. Hunter

4.5 out of 5