Timelines: Visualizing time in narrative research

Abstract

Timelines have been increasingly recognized as valuable tools in narrative research for visualizing the temporal dimension of participants' lived experiences. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the application of timelines in qualitative narrative research, particularly within applied linguistics. Narrative research methods inherently focus on time, with timelines serving to highlight the temporal aspects of critical life events, transitions, and personal transformations. By organizing and representing time visually, timelines facilitate deeper reflexivity among participants, offering insights that may not emerge through verbal interviews alone. This study synthesizes existing research on timelines, exploring their flexible application and impact on the quality of narrative data. In applied linguistics, timelines have been employed to investigate various aspects of language teaching and learning, from tracking long-term language learning trajectories to supporting teacher professional development. The paper also discusses methodological considerations, such as who constructs the timeline, when timelines should be constructed, and the medium used. Additionally, it addresses the limitations of timelines, including their tendency to present time linearly, which may not capture the complex, cyclical nature of human experiences. Drawing on examples from within and beyond applied linguistics as well as research with teachers of multiple langauges, this paper underscores the potential of timelines to enhance the rigor and depth of qualitative narrative research while also acknowledging the challenges and limitations inherent in their use.