The usefulness of oral life (hi)story to understand and empower: the case of trans-racial adoption

Patel, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2578-3393 2005, 'The usefulness of oral life (hi)story to understand and empower: the case of trans-racial adoption' , Qualitative Social Work, 4 (3) , pp. 327-345.

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Abstract

The article considers the usefulness of the oral life (hi)story approach, and in particular its qualitative method of interviewing, to researching social work issues such as trans-racial adoption. In providing clarification on the decision to use the term life (hi)story in the given (bracketed) way, a descriptive outline of the reported study’s research design into trans-racial adoption is provided. This is followed by a critically reflective assessment of the key methodological issues emanating from the study’s use of oral life (hi)story, highlighting not only its limitations but also offering guidance on its use. In doing so, it is argued that despite some discrepancies, oral life (hi)story offers access to a deeper level of understanding about adoptees’ lives. It also empowers adoptees by giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves about their own lives.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy
Journal or Publication Title:	Qualitative Social Work
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1473-3250
Depositing User:	Dr Tina G. Patel
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2011 11:52
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 13:06
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/18551

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