ABSTRACT
This chapter overviews some of the theoretical and methodological issues raised for research by social constructionism. It outlines some of the relevant theoretical assumptions, and some of the major methodological issues that social constructionist research raises. The chapter also provides illustrative examples of six different kinds of research approaches used by social constructionist's conversation analysis, discursive psychology, interpretative repertoires, Foucauldian discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis (CDA) and narrative analysis. The central concern of critical discourse analysis is with the relationship between language and power, and in exposing power inequalities and ideology. Discursive psychology aims to identify the forms of argument and rhetorical devices being used by the participants. The chapter draws the work of philosopher Paul Ricoeur where, he aims to bring to narrative analysis the recognition that the social world, the world of stories that people inhabit both allows and limits the possible ways of being and the identities people can construct.
