Timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps: Positing diagramming as a salient tool for qualitative data collection in research with forced migrants

Abstract

Visual elicitation methods, such as diagramming, are growing in their use with vulnerable populations, trauma-informed research, and social work studies where the use of traditional oral interviews alone may be lacking in their ability to increase access to different areas of human consciousness. The adoption and designing of innovative diagramming and visual methods have the potential to push the boundaries of data collection in understanding the experiences of forced migrants. However, scholars have seldom adopted this method in forced migration research. In this article, the authors explore three diagramming methods-timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps-to highlight the possibilities of their use for social work research with forced migrants. The benefits of utilising these methods in support of the unique characteristics and challenges of forced migrants are also discussed. The article concludes by identifying several limitations while advocating for the adoption and documentation of the use of diagramming in studies with forced migrants.

Drawing Together in Scotland: The Opportunities and Challenges for Young Refugees within a ‘Relational Wellbeing’ Approach to Integration

“…The transcript-based data were supplemented in two other ways. First, a diagramming approach was used to construct ecomaps (Ekoh and Sitter 2023); that is, relational diagrams that represent the perceived presence or absence of support in people's lives (Hartman 1995). In the Drawing Together project, these maps were drawn by each respondent in connection with four groups of others: 'family', 'friends/peers', 'formal/professional', and 'community'.…”