Methodological perspectives on composite narrative cases in action research
Main Article Content
Abstract
This article examines the methodological possibilities and tensions of using composite narrative cases (CNC) within action research. Building on a Scandinavian, dialogically oriented research tradition, we demonstrate how CNC can support collaborative inquiry and shared meaning-making, thereby fostering participant engagement and a sense of shared ownership. The article argues that CNC can distill complex empirical material into accessible narratives while preserving anonymity and practice-based relevance. At the same time, it highlights key methodological and ethical tensions related to power dynamics, and validation. The findings suggest that, when used reflexively and dialogically, CNC can strengthen the communicative reach, future-forming potential, and participatory quality of action research beyond single-case studies, and we call for further research exploring the role of CNC in diverse communities of practice.
Keywords: composite narrative cases, action research, dialogical inquiry, methodological reflexivity, participatory methods
Perspectivas metodológicas sobre composite narrative cases en la investigación-acción
Este artículo examina las posibilidades y tensiones metodológicas del uso de composite narrative cases (CNC) en la investigación-acción. Basándonos en la tradición de investigación escandinava, orientada al diálogo, demostramos cómo los CNC pueden apoyar la indagación colaborativa y la construcción compartida de significados, fomentando así la participación de los participantes y un sentido de pertenencia compartida. El artículo argumenta que los CNC pueden destilar material empírico complejo en narrativas accesibles, preservando al mismo tiempo el anonimato y la relevancia práctica. Al mismo tiempo, destaca las tensiones metodológicas y éticas clave relacionadas con las dinámicas de poder y la validación. Los hallazgos sugieren que, cuando se utilizan de forma reflexiva y dialógica, los CNC pueden fortalecer el alcance comunicativo, el potencial de formación de futuro y la calidad participativa de la investigación-acción más allá de los estudios de caso individuales, y hacemos un llamado a que se siga investigando el papel de los CNC en diferentes comunidades de práctica.
Palabras clave: composite narrative cases, investigación-acción, indagación dialógica, reflexividad metodológica, métodos participativos
Bibliography: Frimann, Søren/Rohwedder, Jan/Nyhus Rohwedder, Anne-Birgitte/Le Fevre, Deidre: Methodological perspectives on composite narrative cases in action research, IJAR – International Journal of Action Research, 3-2025, pp. 189-206.
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