Lesson 1: Developing An Identity As a Researcher

This lesson will help you think about positionalityPositionality The identity of us as a researcher as it relates to the social and political context of a research study. Our positionality is based on our past experiences and shapes how you approach the research process. and create a researcher identity statement in order to connect your objectives and interests to who you are as a researcher.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Examine your lived experiences, current motivations, and perspectives in order to inform the research you pursue.
  • Define positionality and reflect upon the positionality you hold in order to write a researcher identity statement.
  • Identify and articulate how your identity affects your relationship to your research topic.

Lesson originally created by Nimisha Bhat, Hailley Fargo, Chelsea Heinbach, and Charissa Powell.

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The Librarian Parlor (aka LibParlor or #libparlor) is a space for conversing, sharing expertise, and asking questions about the process of developing, pursuing, and publishing library research. We feature interesting research methodologies, common challenges, in progress work, setbacks and successes. In providing this space, LibParlor aspires to support the development of a welcoming community of new researchers.