Elicited metaphor analysis: researching teaching and learning

Metaphor analysis can be used in education to investigate teachers' and learners' beliefs and values, among a broad range of related research applications. This chapter presents a rationale for this innovative qualitative method, signposting a broad range of related literature sources to help researchers. We outline stages of using eliciting metaphors for analysis, emphasizing how analysts need to collect participants' metaphors and examine datasets for relationships between and combinations of three essential elements of metaphors (targets, sources and entailments) in clear steps to build up rich interpretations, which can be confirmed. We exemplify these with detailed researched examples related to 'good' teachers, student learning, language and dyslexia to explore concepts and beliefs held by participants in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Lebanon and the UK. Metaphor analysis can be used independently, combined with other methods or within some methods. Often it evokes particular engagement and creativity to provide insightful and inspirational responses.