Despite the growing number of statistical analyses of life-history data and a long tradition of biographical research, there is often no communication between these two streams of life-course research. It is possible to examine the life course quantitatively through life histories, which may be used to model synthetic biographies in order to reveal patterns in the timing and sequencing of life events, the durations of states between them, and the causal links between them. It is also possible to examine the life course qualitatively through life stories, e.g. biographical narratives, which reflect how persons understand, experience and attach meaning to events and states in their life. Through a quantitative analysis of life-history data we can describe and explain the morphology of particular events in the observed population, while a qualitative analysis of biographical narratives provides insight into people’s decision-making, perceptions of their options, and how they attach meanings to and experience events. This article summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, explains in which sense they are connected or differentiated from each other, what data and analyses each perspective may utilize, and briefly introduces one type of mixed methods life course research that utilizes the complementarity of both approaches., Hana Hašková a Radka Dudová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The birth of a child and transition into home ownership are markers of progression along a life course. Research shows that pathways to home ownership have become more diverse and deviate from the traditional pathway which was characterised by marriage followed by the birth of a child before entering home ownership. This study investigates the timing and order of the two interrelated events of birth of a child and the transition to home ownership in Australia. Using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey, we apply a multi-process event history analysis for describing the timing of each event following the formation of a cohabiting relationship. The results suggest that the likelihood of birth increases with prior home ownership attainment but as time passes following the purchase of a home, the likelihood of birth decreases, similarly, the likelihood of home ownership attainment decreased with time following birth.
Studie se zabývá životními zkušenostmi lidí, kteří mají sourozence s mentálním postižením. Výzkumný vzorek tvořilo šest dospělých osob, 3 muži a 3 ženy, které mají sourozence s mentálním postižením. Průměrný věk respondentů byl 28 let, pět respondentů mělo vysokoškolské vzdělání a jeden středoškolské. Až na jednoho respondenta měli všichni ještě alespoň jednoho zdravého sourozence.
Pro sběr dat autoři použili metodu vyprávění nad čarou života, kterou doplnili předem připravenými otázkami na specifickou zkušenost se životem se sourozencem s postižením. Výzkumný postup, rozhovor s dospělými lidmi, umožnil zachytit zkušenost zdravých sourozenců v kontextu jejich životní dráhy. Vedle kritických momentů zmiňovali respondenti i přínosy života se sourozencem s postižením pro vlastní osobní růst. Uvedené poznatky jsou diskutovány v souvislosti s konceptem tzv. posttraumatického růstu (posttraumatic growth).