“This accessible and original book is essential reading for all researchers, regardless of their academic discipline, methodological preferences or career stage.”
Amanda Holt, Professor of Criminology, University of Roehampton, London


“This book brings ‘doing research’ to a real, human level, dispelling the myth about research being something ‘out there’, detached from those doing it. It will likely be a go-to resource for anyone considering research. I cannot recommend it enough.” 
Sofie Bager-Charleson, Senior Lecturer and Research Coordinator on the DCPsych, Metanoia Institute


Being a Researcher does exactly what it says it does: it will help you understand what it means to be a researcher. Not a book about how to do research, it concentrates instead on what life is like as a researcher and how to make the most of that experience, whether this is your career, you are a community-based researcher or it’s part of your clinical or academic training requirements. Packed with information, tips and guidance that will help you not only develop as a researcher but enjoy being one, this lively book will equip you to unlock your full potential, regardless of your career stage, discipline or research approach.


Key features include:


Practical advice on enhancing your personal researcher identity and profile with links to additional resources such as podcasts, websites and further reading.


A focus throughout on researcher self-reflection and positionality, including discussions of the emotional impact of being a researcher and how to manage this.


Tips on how to meet expectations such as publishing journal articles and presenting papers at conferences.


Reflections from experienced and novice researchers on their experiences and how they overcame research challenges.


Up to date chapters on being a researcher in different settings, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and having your work researched by other scholars.


Nollaig Frost has affiliations to universities in the UK and Ireland and teaches research methods to students and trainees at all levels across Europe. She provides supervision to academic and professional doctoral students, and has written and edited three previous books on doing research, including Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology: Combining Core Approaches, 2e (Open University Press, 2021). She is Editor of the European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy.