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Article published In: Narrative Inquiry
Vol. 35:1 (2025) ► pp.26–46

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Turning points as a tool in narrative research

A tentative typology as exemplified by a case on police identity

ORCiD logo with link | Linköping University
ORCiD logo with link | Linköping University
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Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with Linköping University.

Published online: 9 June 2023
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.22021.wie
Abstract
This article focuses on how the concept of “turning points” can be used in narrative research when studying people’s (professional) identities and identity formation. By examining various understandings of turning points, we aim to show how they can be identified and used as analytical tools in different ways when conducting narrative analyses of (professional) identity formation. A case study from a research project on police identity is used to illustrate the application of various perspectives on turning points. The article offers guidance for researchers on choosing a context and focus for analysing turning points, as well as on the theoretical perspectives that come with these choices, and thereby suggests directions for analytical attention. The article shows how different perspectives on turning points have consequences for the understanding of professional identities.
Article outline
  • Introduction
    • Turning points in identity formation – a typology
    • A case study
  • Exemplifying the typology of turning points
    • Type 1a.Turning points in the content (individual level)
    • Type 1b.Turning points in content (on a collective level)
    • Type 2.Turning points in form
    • Type 3a.Turning points as co-constructed through storytelling
    • Type 3b.Turning points in the stories and through storytelling
  • Concluding discussion
  • References
References (28)
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