Photo-elicitation with semi-structured interviews

Visual Methods

 

There has been steady growth in the use of visual methods in social sciences and health studies since the late 1990s (Wang, 1999; Glaw et al, 2017; Simpson and Richards, 2018). Visual methods of research rely on the use of artistic media to produce and represent knowledge, including drawings, photographs, videos, charts or maps (Lorenz and Kolb, 2009).

 

As researchers, our understandings and interpretations of data are justly limited, and by integrating these visual data elements we can generate a greater understanding of the wider context, reinforce inclusiveness and participant ownership within research (Lorenz and Kolb, 2009). Collecting creative or visual methods of expression as data, such as photographs or drawings provide an opportunity to share memories and rethink experiences that participants may not have in other methods (Woolhouse, 2017; 2019).

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Photo-elicitation (PE)

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There are many different visual methods and varying ways of implementing them, however photo-elicitation is one of the most commonly used in research. By implementing photo-elicitation in this research, the participants would take ownership of expressing their own feelings and experiences regarding the care that they provide, and voice this through photography to use in an interview. It is anticipated that these photographs will offer a rich entry point to autobiography (Kuhn, 1995), and that we may gain a more accurate understanding of personal experience and perception with this method. 

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Semi-structured interviews (SSI)

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Interviews are beneficial to researchers as they can be conducted in many different manners, in varying time frames and numerous times with participants. Semi-structured interviews are probably the most used in the social sciences, and the most discussed in existing social research methods literature (Warren, 2002; Flick, 2002). Semi-structured interviews use a pre-planned set of questions or discussion topics, whilst allowing the researcher to follow up on whatever angles may be deemed important by either party (Brinkman, 2013). Semi-structured interviews will enable the exploration of unexpected insights and leads offered by participants that the researcher may never have anticipated.

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Combining PE and SSI

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Evidence from previous studies (Parke et al, 2013; Rayment et al, 2019) suggests that interviews with photo-elicitation incorporated do not simply evoke more information, but a different kind of information that would not be possible – or indeed more difficult – without these elements (Harper, 2002). This may be a deeper understanding of an emotion a participant has experienced and an exploration of potentially more sensitive topics such as depression and suicide (Creighton et al, 2017). Studies have also found that photo-elicitation can enable people to give voice to thoughts and feelings they may not normally get to articulate or share, such as working-class men (Simpson and Richards, 2018), homeless people (Halifax et al, 2008) and working-class Irish fathers (Hegarty, 2016).

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Implementation

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In order to conduct this method, there are two steps being implemented. Firstly, the participants are directed to take photographs for approximately 2-3 weeks (ad-hoc) of items, places or artwork that are important to them. A photography guidance sheet and an information sheet are provided that detail recommended photographs such as important places or items, and prohibited behaviour or actions involving the photography, such as no photographing non-consenting parties, or photography in places where it is explicitly prohibited. For example, participants are asked not to photograph people in swimming baths or changing rooms. Study participants are given insight into key themes and words that will be discussed in the interview, such as care, masculinity and class, so that they can link their photographs if they wished. The approach aims to encourage participants to talk about what matters to them using the images as a basis for sharing their thoughts. Study participants are reminded that they could contact me if they had any queries about images they might produce during the period.

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Secondly, the interviews are scheduled and take place. The participants send the photographs to be printed at least one day prior to the interview taking place and are met and directed to an interview room*. The interview is audio-recorded with consent, and a set of three broad questions are used to maintain a steady flow and ensure all information is covered, whilst also allowing the participants to tell their own stories and for me as the interviewer to veer away from the initial question where appropriate. 

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*Please note that the interviews will be conducted virtually, through platforms such as Zoom or Skype to enable the research to continue safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.