What perspectives underlie ‘researcher identity’?:A review of two decades of empirical studies

Castelló, M. and McAlpine, L. and Sala-Bubaré, A. and Inouye, K. and Skakni, I. (2020) What perspectives underlie ‘researcher identity’?:A review of two decades of empirical studies. Higher Education. ISSN 0018-1560

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Abstract

Over the past two decades, identity has emerged as a concept framing studies of early career researcher experience. Yet, identity is an amorphous concept, understood and used in a range of ways. This systematic review aimed to unpack the underpinnings of the notion of researcher identity. The final sample consisted of 38 empirical articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the last 20 years. Analyses focused on (a) identifying the dimensions used to define researcher identity, and (b) characterising the meta-theories-the underlying assumptions of the research-in relation to these dimensions. We identified four different stances towards researcher identity (clusters), based on variation on the identity dimensions in relation to the meta-theories. We characterised these as (1) transitioning among identities, (2) balancing identity continuity and change, (3) personal identity development through time and (4) personal and stable identity. These stances incorporate thought-provoking nuances and complex conceptualisations of the notion of researcher identity, for instance, that meta-theory was insufficient to characterise researcher identity stance. The contribution of the study is first to be able to differentiate four characterizations of researcher identity-important given that many studies had not clearly expressed a stance. The second is the potential of the four dimensions to help characterise identity, in past as well as future research-thus a useful tool for those working in this area. Many questions remain, but perhaps the biggest is to what extent and under what conditions is identity a productive notion for understanding early career researcher experience?

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Higher Education
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1200
Subjects:
?? IDENTITYIDENTITY DIMENSIONSMETA-THEORIESRESEARCHER IDENTITYTHEORIESLAWARTS AND HUMANITIES(ALL) ??
ID Code:
154047
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
21 Apr 2021 14:05
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Sep 2023 02:11