Adapting Life History Calendars for Qualitative Research on Welfare Transitions

Harris, Deborah A.; Parisi, Domenico

doi:10.1177/1525822x06292707

Cited by 30 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…Traditional OHCs use empirical analysis of data to statistically explore patterns in data across the lifecourse. However, this quantitative approach does not allow for individual explanations of behaviour and decision-making (Harris & Parisi, 2007). Moreover, the highly structured nature of the OHC limits the type of data collected (timing and sequence of jobs).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some researchers have used life history calendar techniques in conjunction with interviews (e.g. Martyn & Martin, 2003;Harris & Parisi, 2007;Nelson, 2010;Scott-Ricks & Harrison, 2011). In these studies, priority was given to the qualitative data with basic descriptive statistics used to demonstrate trends in calendar data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Harris and Parisi (2007), a qualitative approach contributes to explaining differences in work histories across people, places and time, illuminating interactions between history, biography and context. This ability to capture individual heterogeneity is vital, given that older workers form a very heterogeneous group in terms of health, skills, types of jobs, and the local labour market (OECD, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The appeal of using calendars in a qualitative context not only lies in their capacity to foster insights (Belli & Callegaro, 2009) but can lead to enhanced researcher -participant interaction and better understanding of the issues under investigation (Harris & Parisi, 2007). Nelson (2010) considered the methodological adaptation as good as the traditional quantitative method for capturing processes and complex patterns and had the added advantage of capturing explanatory data to inform the 'hows and whys' (p. 42) of the transitions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To this end, some researchers have started to use calendar based life history review instruments qualitatively (Harris & Parisi, 2007;Martyn & Martin, 2003;Nelson, 2010). The appeal of using calendars in a qualitative context not only lies in their capacity to foster insights (Belli & Callegaro, 2009) but can lead to enhanced researcher -participant interaction and better understanding of the issues under investigation (Harris & Parisi, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Using occupational history calendars to capture lengthy and complex working lives: a mixed method approach with older people

Porcellato

Carmichael

Hulme

2014

International Journal of Social Research Methodology

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Accurately documenting the occupational biographies of older people can be challenging given their lengthy duration and the complexity of contemporary employment. This paper shows how a traditionally quantitative occupational history calendar (OHC) instrument can be adapted for use in a mixed methods research design, to gather in-depth information about long working lives. The OHCs were embedded within semi-structured interviews and recorded lifetime work histories of between 33 and 53 years for 56 participants. Sequence analysis of the calendar data was undertaken in parallel to thematic analysis of interview transcripts. This included in-depth exploration of the factors motivating occupational changes and transitions and their impact in older age. Mixing methods allowed us to collate data over relatively long periods of time and enabled an examination of the complex interplay between work, family and personal circumstances that shapes employment histories. Selected research findings are used to demonstrate how this tool can effectively facilitate the exploration of long working lives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Using occupational history calendars to capture lengthy and complex working lives: a mixed method approach with older people

Porcellato

Carmichael

Hulme

2014

International Journal of Social Research Methodology

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Hidden Care(e)rs: Supporting Informal Carers in the Workplace

Oldridge

2019

Palgrave Explorations in Workplace Stigma

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The UK has an ageing population; people are not only living longer, but doing so with health problems and the government has been investing less in adult social care (Petrie and Kirkup 2018;Grierson 2017;Pickard 2008). This has resulted in an ever-increasing, and unrecognised, reliance on care provided on an informal basis, by friends and family. The highest provision of this care is provided by mid-life women (aged 50 -64) (ONS 2011). Furthermore, 13.3 per cent of employed women overall combine work and care (ONS 2011). Previous research has demonstrated that carers reduce the number of hours they work, level of responsibility, or even leave their jobs (Carers UK 2018;Waters 2008;Yeandle et al 2007). This chapter offers an examination of existing legislation and literature on supporting working carers. It reviews findings from interviews conducted in 2016 with 30 women aged 45 -65 across Leicestershire who combined work and care, with reference to their careers, organisational and line manager support. This is particularly significant given the large quantities of mid-life women caring, alongside careers commentary seeing women of this age at their professional peak, and the government keen to encourage older workers to remain active in the labour market (Kirton and Greene 2016). The chapter is relevant to both academic and practitioner audiences and concludes that current practices provide insufficient support and contribute to the ongoing factor of caring being a 'hidden' inequality in workplaces. As a result, it closes with recommendations for employers and policy makers.

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Semistructured Life History Calendar Method

Nelson

2017

Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences

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Adapting Life History Calendars for Qualitative Research on Welfare Transitions

Cited by 30 publications

References 21 publications

Using occupational history calendars to capture lengthy and complex working lives: a mixed method approach with older people

Using occupational history calendars to capture lengthy and complex working lives: a mixed method approach with older people

Hidden Care(e)rs: Supporting Informal Carers in the Workplace

Semistructured Life History Calendar Method

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