This documental study aimed to describe the procedures adopted by nursing researchers in the analysis stage when using the life story method. The sample consisted of 23 graduate studies completed between 1995 and 2006 (theses and dissertations) from the Anna Nery School of Nursing which used the life story method, based on Daniel Bertaux. Among these studies, thematic analysis was carried out for the analytical process chapters. Thematic analysis stages were utilized in all studies of the sample. We conclude that the use of this analysis methodology allows the authors to construct analytical categories from the subjects' discourses. However, it is important to highlight care taken by the researchers during the selection of themes, so that the meaning each witness gave his own life was not modified.
Methodology; Data analysis; Qualitative research