Looking Back, Looking Forward

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the use of the Self-Discovery Tapestry (SDT) tool, a life history review instrument, and its application to an Australian qualitative study of community-dwelling older people aged 80 years and more. The researchers set out to engage with older people through an innovative research approach that acknowledged their experiences and recognized their skills and capacities across the course of their lives. The article reports and assesses this research instrument as a tool for gathering data in narrative studies involving older people. It proposes that the instrument, with some modifications might be used to further develop specific knowledge of aging to benefit research, education, and practice in gerontology. By undertaking to critique the research processes, the authors hope to show the value of incorporating a critical appraisal approach that may prove useful for strengthening further research in this area of inquiry.

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

“…Importantly, the OHC is a visual tool providing a graphic representation of the participants' occupational history that enables gaps and contradictions to be easily determined (Freedman, Thornton, Camburn, Alwin, & Young-DeMarco, 1988). This visualisation not only supports recall of previous work experiences (Meltzer, 2001) but provides opportunity for reflection and analysis of one's own occupational biography (Feldman & Howie, 2009).…”

“…In our opinion, it was this collaborative component, the working together to populate the OHC that also enhanced the research experience for our participants. Co-constructing their work biographies ensured that the difficulty and frustration encountered by Feldman and Howie's (2009) older sample when self-completing their life history review tool would not be experienced by our participants.…”

“…Duration ranged between one and two and half hours with most lasting longer than an hour and a half. Although not particularly excessive time-wise, recalling and reflecting on significant events sequentially across a long life span can be difficult for older participants (Feldman & Howie, 2009). Researchers need to be cognisant of the emotional demands that timeline tools can bring to bear on participants.…”

“…Although not specifically designed for older people, she concluded that the tool was suitable for use with an elder population. This was borne out in the work of Feldman and Howie (2009) who used her Self Discovery Tapestry with people aged 80 years and over in Australia.…”

“…Given the tendency of older people to 'construct their biographies using a range of meaningful reference points' (Parry et al, 1999, p. 2), the matrix design provides an explicit framework that enables older participants to focus their attention on specific topics and acts as a stimulus for dialogue (Feldman & Howie, 2009). Calendar methodology also draws on reminiscence and potentially has therapeutic value (Berney & Blane, 2003).…”