An Analysis of Biographies in Collective Memory Research: The Method of Socio-Historical Analysis

Elifcan Karacan

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.15.3.05

Authors

Elifcan Karacan Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.15.3.05

Keywords:

Biographical Research, Collective Memory, Mnemonic-Practices, Narration, Socio-Historical Analysis

Abstract

This article explores the use of biographies in qualitative research about collective memory. It is argued that commemorative ceremonies, as well as changes appearing in macro-level structures within the time-span of individuals’ life histories need to be included when analyzing biographies in collective memory studies. The article suggests enhancement of the biographical case reconstruction method (Rosenthal 1993; 2004) with two additional stages: analysis of the experienced past with more emphasis on socio-historical transformations; and inclusion and analysis of the ethnographical data collected from collective mnemonic practices. By providing empirical data from the research conducted with political exiles in Germany, these analytical steps of the method of socio-historical analysis are demonstrated in detail.

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Author Biography

Elifcan Karacan, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

Elifcan Karacan is a sociologist at the Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Her main research interests are sociology of migration, social inequalities, and qualitative research methods. She is particularly interested in qualitative data analysis methods, such as; biographical case reconstruction, grounded theory, and objective hermeneutics.

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