Reflections upon methodology: Research on themes of self construction and self integration in the narrative of second generation Korean American young adults

This article describes the rationale, methodology, and relevancy of researc h on themes of self-construction and self-integration in the narratives of second generation Korean American young adults. It also outlines the philos ophical perspective on research as a constructive paradigm that understands reality as consisting of the meanings people imbue into their experiences according to their particular sociocultural contexts. Lastly, as a co-const ructor of reality, the researcher conducted ethnographic interviews and par ticipant observation among these young adults, attempting to describe their internalized voices, authorities, and values, to explore their constructio n of self, and to examine the role of the Korean American church in this pr ocess.