Life Course Data Collection: Qualitative Interviewing using the Life Grid

Abstract

The life grid, has recently been acclaimed as a accurate method for collecting retrospective data from elderly respondents. Accounts of using this method, which are based upon quantitative studies, however, have not adequately captured the dynamics of grid interviewing. This is, we suggest, because it is much easier to describe technical aspects of a research method than it is to convey how that method works in practice. In this article we set out to portray some of these more ‘indeterminate’ aspects of the life grid interviewing, drawing on our own experiences of using this method in an qualitative study of lifecourse patterns of smoking behaviour among elderly respondents who have a smoking related illness. Focussing upon interaction between researcher and respondent the article explores the reconstruction of the life course as a mutual endeavour and the implications of this for the interview structure and data collection among this respondent group.

Building productive relationships with young people with SEBD in transition: the role of identity

“…Support networks were mapped using a spider diagram, completed with the pupil. As previous researchers have noted (Parry, Thomson, and Fowkes 1999;Wilson et al 2007) this created a collaborative atmosphere, and allowed the young people to see what was being written down about them, to control the pace and content of the interview, to move between time and place in telling their stories, and to raise sensitive issues if and when they felt ready.…”

Young people, biographical narratives and the life grid: young people’s accounts of parental substance use

“…As such, the high degree of interviewerrespondent 'mutual collaboration' experienced by Parry et al (1999) in their interviews with older respondents was not reproduced.…”

“…What has been described as a 'narrowly structuralist' approach to tightly defined narratives (Chase, 2005: 656) was not employed. Parry et al (1999) emphasise how the life grid may increase respondents' degree of control within the interview encounter and diffuse tension around sensitive issues.…”

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

“…Past experiences may be distorted or merge together into partial truths. According to Parry, Thomson, and Fowkes (1999), a significant factor in minimising recall problems is the manner in which the data is collected.…”

“…Holland et al (2000) used this method to collect full occupational, residential and household histories, from which accumulated lifetime exposures to a range of environmental hazards were estimated. Parry et al (1999) also used the Lifegrid Method to explore associations between life experiences and smoking; to gauge life course influences on patterns of persistent smokers aged 65-85 years. Although Bell (2005) challenges the utility of the Lifegrid Method for qualitative researchers, considering it 'non-reflective and too date and event centred' (p. 65), he contends that it encourages participants to address the issue of change over time and may prove suitable when collecting relatively factual data.…”