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.

中文翻译：

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转折点作为叙事研究的工具


本文重点介绍在研究人们的（专业）身份和身份形成时，如何将 “转折点 ”的概念用于叙事研究。通过研究对转折点的各种理解，我们旨在展示在对（专业）身份形成进行叙述性分析时，如何以不同的方式识别它们并用作分析工具。使用来自警察身份研究项目的案例研究来说明各种观点对转折点的应用。本文为研究人员提供了选择分析转折点的背景和重点的指导，以及这些选择带来的理论观点，从而为分析注意力提供了方向。本文展示了对转折点的不同观点如何影响对职业身份的理解。