Master Narrative Methodology: A Primer for Conducting Structural-Psychological Research

Objective: The emphasis placed on individual-level analysis throughout psychological science in general, and diversity science in particular, has left the role of structural factors undertheorized. Moreover, the field suffers from a lack of research methods that fully investigate structural–individual relations. This article outlines one structural-psychological approach, the master narrative framework, and details various methods for taking social structures into account while still maintaining the focus on the individual. Conclusion: These methods, including event narratives, in-depth interviews, life-script analysis, focus groups, experiments, and conversation analysis, allow for an understanding of both the nature and substance of the structures and how individuals interact with them.