The Unfolding of Methodological Identity: An Autobiographical Study Using Humor, Competing Voices, and Twists

Authors

James A. Bernauer, Robert Morris UniversityFollow

Abstract

This article explores my journey from quantitative to qualitative researcher, including the effects this journey has had on my identity as well as on those whom I previously referred to as “subjects”. “Identity” is examined from both an historical as well as from a self-dialogical, autobiographical perspective. Eleven “twists” that mark turning points and detours describe this journey, and this paper employs “voices” that offer contextual background and contradictory advice on the road towards methodological identity. These twists describe experiences as both teacher and student and readers are invited to join in this retrospective reflection in order to experience insights and new appreciations. The article concludes with a brief integration of the literature and contextual reflection as well as several questions that invite readers to consider issues related to methodological identity and implications for teaching and learning that arose as a consequence of this journey.

Keywords

Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Identity, Reflexivity, Autobiographical, Twists, Voices, Teaching, Learning

Publication Date

8-27-2012

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1737

Recommended APA Citation

Bernauer, J. A. (2012). The Unfolding of Methodological Identity: An Autobiographical Study Using Humor, Competing Voices, and Twists. The Qualitative Report, 17(35), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1737