The Biographic Narrative Interpretative Method (BNIM) in Health Sociology: Exploring the Relationship between Health and Place By Inducing Narratives

Qualitative narrative inquiry, particularly biographical research, has become a widely used approach for exploring the plurality of lived experiences and behaviors related to health and illness. This presentation focuses on the application of a specific type of lightly-structured narrative interview design – the Biographic Narrative Interpretative Method (BNIM), developed by Tom Wengraf (2001). Through this method, the researchers collect individuals' life stories, paying attention to how they present themselves and interpreting these stories within the broader social context. This is done by posing a single initial narrative question that is aimed at inducing a biographical narrative, with minimal further interviewer interventions.

Based on my experience conducting 33 lightly-structured interviews using BNIM interviewing techniques from November 2023 to October 2024, I aim to demonstrate how the BNIM can be used to further our understanding of the intricate relationship between health and place by allowing for the interconnections between the intimate life experiences and the physical and social constraints of place. Additionally, I will reflect on the challenges of conducting field research and evaluate the suitability of qualitative narrative inquiry in the context of health sociology.