Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the book. It describes the research that provided the empirical foundation of our research program and our purpose in writing the book. This chapter also explains the structure of the book and who we wrote for: researchers who (a) are interested in investigating the experiences of doctoral students and graduates, (b) wish to explore more fully the construct of identity-trajectory which emerged from our research, and (c) are intrigued by the nature of qualitative longitudinal narrative research.
Notes
- 1.
We have standardized our terminology across countries by, for instance, using the term, research-teaching position, to designate what would be termed a lectureship in the UK or assistant professorship in North America. And, we talk about gaining permanence rather than tenure since in many countries outside of North America tenure does not exist. We also use the term ‘post-PhD researcher’ to designate both those on postdoctoral fellowships and those salaried on a principal investigator’s (PI’s) grant, as well as teaching-only position, which would be a lecturer in Canada. See the note at the end of this chapter as well as the Glossary for more information.
- 2.
Throughout our research program, all participants chose a pseudonym and it is these we use in the book.
- 3.
Two earlier syntheses are McAlpine and Amundsen (2011), drawing out the pedagogical implications of the research about the social scientists and McAlpine and Amundsen (2016) written for early career researchers, which present the career trajectories of the 48 research participants grouped in relation to their career hopes.
References
McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (Eds.). (2011). Supporting the doctoral process: Research-based strategies for doctoral students, supervisors and administrators. Amsterdam: Springer.
McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (2016). Post-PhD career trajectories: Intentions, decision-making and life aspirations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Pivot.
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McAlpine, L., Amundsen, C. (2018). Chapter 1: Overview. In: Identity-Trajectories of Early Career Researchers. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95287-8_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95287-8_1
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Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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