First-person narratives are a fundamental tool at the disposal of the qualitative researcher. This volume provides specific suggestions and guidelines for preparing for and carrying out a life story interview.

ROBERT ATKINSON, Ph.D., an internationally recognized authority in life story interviewing, personal mythmaking and soul-making, is the author of nine books, professor emeritus at the University of Southern Maine, and the director of Life Story Commons.

PART ONE: CONTEXTS AND USES OF LIFE STORIES
Stories in Context
The Life Story in Disciplinary Context
What a Life Story Is
The Classic Functions of Stories
The Research Uses of Life Stories
Generating Data from a Life Story
The Art and Science of Life Story Interviewing
PART TWO: PLANNING THE INTERVIEW
The Potential Benefits of Sharing a Life Story
Basic Interview Guidelines
The Morals of the Story
PART THREE: DOING THE INTERVIEW
Getting the Information You Want
Questions To Ask
PART FOUR: INTERPRETING THE INTERVIEW
Transcription
Interpretation
PART FIVE: CONCLUSION