| The subject of this inquiry was to explore Libyan identity based upon surveys and interviews conducted in two Libyan cities from January to March 2014. During this period, a total of 800 Libyan men and women were surveyed and 16 interviews were conducted. The aim of this work was to explore the question: "Who is the Libyan?" Since 2011, this question has become increasingly significant as Libya struggles to transform itself into a state of democracy, social equality, and human rights following 40 years of absolutist dictatorship.;To explore the complexity inherent in the question, "Who is the Libyan?" a transdisciplinary approach was necessary and included research in the areas of history, sociology, politics, religion, and culture. The research was carried out in the capital city of Tripoli and the Amazigh (historically known as Berber) city of Jadu using a mixed methodology of both quantitative as well as qualitative surveys. The quantitative surveys served to cover a broad base of participants in these two cities. The qualitative surveys offered deeper discussions into the inquiry question.;For this project, the interpretive research paradigm was applied. This paradigm allowed the researcher to study Libyan identity by focusing on participants' experiences and how they chose to express their experiences, that is, their performances. It also acknowledged the role of the researcher and her active participation in the research process. This permitted the researcher to take advantage of her insider position as a Libyan in conducting, analyzing, and interpreting the data in order to produce more indigenous and insightful research results.;The 800 quantitative surveys and 16 qualitative interviews were conducted and the data were processed and then analyzed using a categorization and connection strategy. After that, it was integrated and interpreted using the researcher's insider lens. In the end and through this research project, a better understanding of Libyan identity was achieved, and more importantly elements that unite all Libyans were actually discovered. |
