Self-Authorship and Adult Development 

Brief Summary 

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Useful Links

Self Authorship is about defining and reshaping (authoring) what you believe (epistemology), your sense of self (intrapersonal), and your relationships with others (interpersonal), rather than uncritically accepting them from other people.

All three dimensions are critical for the construction of a self-authored system.

• How/what do I know? (Beliefs) — Generating and coordinating one’s own beliefs, values and internal loyalties, rather than depending on external influences for shaping one’s thoughts.

• Who am I? (Intrapersonal) — Being concerned with personal integrity - aligning actions with values.

• How do I want to construct relationships with others? (Interpersonal) — Thinking about feelings and relationships instead of being subject to them.

The key is to view your ‘self’ as object — i.e. something that can be evaluated, analyzed and understood.  (Natali Morad)

• Prof. Robert Kegan - Adult Mental Development

• Prof. Robert Kegan - How to develop a ‘Self-Authoring Mind’

• Prof. Robert Kegan - The increasing demands on employees

• Prof. Robert Kegan - Book “In Over Our Heads”

• Dr. Marcia Baxter Magolda  Authoring Your Life

• Authoring Your Life, Developing Challenges

Conducting Qualitative Research 

Brief Summary

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Useful Resources

There is no one qualitative method, but rather a number of research approaches which fall under the umbrella of ‘qualitative methods’. The various social science disciplines tend to have different conventions on best practice in qualitative research. However SS&M has prepared the following general guidance for the writing and assessment of papers which present qualitative data (either alone or in combination with quantitative methods). General principles of good practice for all research will also apply. (Guidelines for Qualitative Papers)

Guidelines for qualitative research papers can be found here:

• Guidelines for Qualitative Papers  

• 5 Types of Qualitative Methods 

Guidelines for conducting a literature review can be found here:

• Literature Review in Social Work

• The Literature Review, A Research Journey

Storytelling

Brief Summary

Useful Resources

Storytelling is powerful for a wide variety of reasons. We are social creatures who regularly affiliate with strangers, stories are an effective way to transmit important information and values from one individual or community to the next. Stories that are personal and emotionally compelling engage more of the brain, and thus are better remembered, than simply stating a set of facts. 

Emotional simulation is the foundation for empathy and is particularly powerful because it allows us to rapidly forecast if people around us are angry or kind, dangerous or safe, friend or foe. This keeps us safe but also allows us to rapidly form relationships. The ability to quickly form relationships allows humans to engage in the kinds of large-scale cooperation that builds massive bridges and sends humans into space.  

By knowing someone’s story—where they came from, what they do, and who you might know in common—relationships with strangers are formed. (Paul J. Zak)

• Strategies for Conducting Qualitative Research

• How Stories Change the Brain  

• Storytelling as a Qualitative Method for IS Research: Heralding the Heroic and Echoing the Mythic