Exploring the Suburban Ideal

Abstract

This article reports on how photo elicitation interviewing (PEI) was experienced by eight participants in a qualitative phenomenological study of suburban lived experiences. Adopting a respondent-controlled approach, participants were required to photograph at least 10 aspects of their suburb that they perceived to be good and problematical and then explain the meaning of their images as part of a follow-up interview. This discussion also involved in-depth reflection on the photography exercise itself, with analysis revealing that taking photographs was perceived to be a purposeful exercise that offered a range of benefits. It gave a new perspective and appreciation for the community, while also helping to ensure their meanings were conveyed to the interviewers. The photography task was not without challenges. While some of these challenges influenced the images captured, the findings of this study highlight the importance for qualitative researchers who use PEI to not only consider the benefits and limitations for the research but also give due consideration to the experiences of the participant photographers.

Cartoon Elicitation: Can Drawings Facilitate Interviews on Sensitive Topics?

“…Secondly, using participant-driven photo-elicitation focuses on day-to-day activities which are easily overlooked in standard interviews (Darbyshire et al, 2005; Rose, 2016). Thirdly, discussing pictures taken by participants give way for more in-depth, personal conversations with room for emotions while triggering memories (Bagnoli, 2009; Harper, 2002; Rose, 2016; Warner et al, 2016). For example, the picture of a street can stimulate the sense of smell in that street and trigger memories (Matteucci, 2013).…”