Abstract

Aim The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM) to nurse researchers in search of a research methodology and method. The core methodological assumptions underpinning BNIM are outlined and an overview of the application of the method is detailed. Background Listening to and interpreting the narratives of patients are a core feature of nursing practice. Good nursing care is influenced by a narrative understanding of the person in context. Frequently research methodologies and methods do not, in final research reports convey an explicit understanding of the human elements involved for their participants, as they do not have the capacity to fully account for the historical, psycho-social and biographical dynamic of people’s lives. Discussion The core assumptions of BNIM are intentionally broad based. The analytic strategy it adopts endeavours to analyse three interrelated facets of humanity. These are: the person’s whole life history /life story (Biography), how they tell it (Narrative) whilst appreciating that narratives are subject to social interpretation (Interpretive). BNIM in practice uses a unique interviewing technique to elicit an uninterrupted story from participants. The BNIM analytic tool is formulaic and uses a nine stage case process of individual case analysis. A tenth stage facilitates analysis across cases. Conclusion BNIM methodology and methods enable research participants to articulate the vicissitudes of their life and illness experiences while also, providing the researcher with a framework for data generation and data analyses that interprets and gives meaning to individual’s life stories. Implications for research/practice The BNIM interview technique and analytic framework are useful tools to facilitate an in depth qualitative exploration of life stories in context.