over a period of time. This may indicate why they took particular decisions and the consequences of making those decisions. rather than quantitative. This would involve using in-depth interviews. She would also use life In terms of method Isabelle decided that the approach she would adopt would be qualitative stories and family histories because this kind of biographical approach was more holistic (Miller, 2007). This holistic viewpoint mindested itself in two ways. Firstly, biographical data range across time. Hence, "a biographical approach is indicated where the area of interest is either the effect of change across time, historical events as these events have impinged upon the individual, or his or her movement along their life course" (Miller, 2007:74). Secondly, the biographical approach is a bridge between social structure and the individual. Social structure is a complex concept in which there was some disagreement among social scientists. But it can be understood to mean a relative enduring pattern of social arrangements within a particular society, group or social organisation. Thus social structures may constrain the individual's behaviour and expectations. Discussing your biography means telling about the constraints and opportunities, and turning -points that were available in the past and how one dealt with them. The biographical approach is about the intersection between the individual and social structure. In conducting such research Isabelle knew she had to deal with complex issues with the subject matter and the method she wanted to adopt. The relationship between the interviewee and interviewer is central to this type of research. She felt she had the emotional maturity to manage the process. Most importantly she felt that the research was rigorous, systematic and relevant to managers in the workplace. Questions 1. How do you think Isabelle's understanding of theory and method changed in adopting the approach she chose? (2 marks) 2. What particular knowledge and skills did she develop in preparing this research? (5 marks) 3. What problems do you think she would have anticipated in conducting research into pressure and coping among managers that her literature review may not have identified? (3 marks)