"This is an excellent book for researchers who want to conduct nursing research using life history. It contains worthwhile basic information about the design and many good examples of its use. " -- Doody's Book Review Service

Life history is a qualitative research method used to tell the story of an individual through the eyes of a researcher, who frames the story within the context of the culture in which the person lived. In this book, experienced scholars in qualitative life history research discuss the theoretical rationale for using this design, describe its components, and delineate a practical plan to conduct studies, including a focus on appropriate methods, ethical considerations, and potential pitfalls. Examples from published nursing research with author commentary help to support new researchers in making decisions and facing challenges.

This concise, "how to" guide to conducting ethnography research is part of the seven-book nursing series, Qualitative Designs and Methods, which focuses on qualitative methodologies. The series will be of direct aid to novice nurse researchers and specialists seeking to develop or enhance their competency in a particular design, graduate educators and students in qualitative research courses, research sections in larger hospitals, and in-service educators and students.

The book describes traditional and focused life history, phases of research, and methodology from sample and setting to dissemination and follow-up. Case studies follow a template that includes a description of the study, data collection and analysis, and dissemination. The book also discusses techniques whereby researchers can ensure high standards of rigor. With a focus on practical problem solving throughout, the book will be of value to novice and experienced nurse researchers, graduate teachers and students, in-service educators and students, and nursing research staff at health care institutions.

Key Features:

• Includes examples of state-of-the-art life history nursing research with content analysis
• Describes types of life history, phases of research, and methodology
• Provides case studies including description, data collection and analysis, and dissemination
• Written by international scholars of qualitative life history

Foreword: Life History as a Research Methodology by Kathleen R. Martin

Preface

Prologue: Commonalities in Qualitative Research by Mary de Chesnay

Chapter 1: Overview of Life History

Mary de Chesnay

Chapter 2: State of Art in Nursing Research Using Life History

Mary de Chesnay

Chapter 3: Collecting Life Histories

Mary de Chesnay and Murray J. Fisher

Chapter 4: Embracing the Ugly Child Within: Life History of an Incest Survivor

Leslie West-Sands

Chapter 5: Whistle-Blowing as Self-Reported Disclosure by Incest Survivors

Edwina Skiba-King

Chapter 6: The Stories of Us: Using Life Histories to Inform Practice

Adelita Cantu

Chapter 7: Theorized Life Histories: Masculinity and Male Suicide

Jo River and Murray J. Fisher

Chapter 8: Using Life History to explore the Experience of Women Living with a Rare Chronic Illness: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

Denise Haylen and Murray J Fisher

Chapter 9: Introduction to Life Histories as Doctoral Class Assignment

Mary de Chesnay

Chapter 10: Losing a Child from Brainstem Tumor: Life History of Nora

Brenda Brown

Chapter 11: Successfully Overcoming Breast Cancer: Nicoleís Story

Katrina Embrey

Chapter 12: Overcoming Substance Abuse: A Life History of Alexa

Nancy Capponi

Appendix A: List of Journals That Publish Qualitative Research

Appendix B: Essential Elements for a Qualitative Proposal

Tommie Nelms

Appendix C: Writing Qualitative Research Proposals

Joan. L. Bottorff

Appendix D: Outline for a Research Proposal

Mary de Chesnay