The The Individual Subject vs. Collective Subject in Biographical Research – Ontological, Epistemological, and Methodological Aspects. In Search of Similarities and Differences

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Abstract

The aim of this article is to presents key similarities and differences related to two dimensions of the biographical method: the individual (where analysis is conducted by an individual researcher) and the collective (where the deconstruction and reconstruction of the text are carried out by a collective entity – a group, a team, or co-researchers). Greater attention is paid to the strand of research on collective memory work, as this approach remains largely unknown in pedagogy. The conclusions emphasize the promotion of the collective approach within the biographical method due to its distinct research possibilities. The resulting social knowledge, which uncovers new meanings of experiences, carries emancipatory potential, significant for both individuals and groups participating in the collective process.