Tools for Studying Identity - Repertory Grids Supporting In-depth Interviews and Diary-keeping

Repertory Grids Supporting In-depth Interviews and Diary-keeping

Professor Jonathan Smith, at Birkbeck University, conducted an interpretative phenomenological analytic research study investigating pregnancy and the transition to motherhood. This research principally gathered data using in-depth interviews and diary keeping. However, the data gathered in the interviews and diaries were supported by data gathered using repertory grids. The repertory grids were used to explore the way in which the participants perceived or constructed their personal and social worlds, with the elements of the grid representing important aspects of a participant as well as significant others in their life.

References relating to this study, repertory grids and interpretative phenomenological analysis can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/studyidentity/tools-for-studying-identity

Tools for studying Identity - Using Lego

Using Lego to Explore Identity


David Gauntlett, Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster, discusses, in his book "Creative Explorations: New approaches to identities and audiences" several creative visual research methods where people are asked to make things as part of a process of exploring their identities, influences, relationships etc. There is a particular focus on the Lego identity study, where creative construction of objects facilitated an unlocking of feelings and insights into the participants' everyday experience, specifically looking at the metaphorical lego models participants built of their own identities.

Here are some more links for this work where Professor Gauntlett explains the process on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtS24lqluq0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0pvPs4Ky2o