Quality of life research: a case for combining photo-elicitation with interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

In this paper we provide practical and theoretical discussion of the use of two complementary research methods to explore quality of life. We present a case example of the use of photo-elicitation alongside Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and use examples from our research with people living with paraplegia and chronic pain to demonstrate how these methods can be combined to provide a participant-led understanding of QoL. This discussion includes consideration of practical and ethical issues relevant to others wishing to combine these research methods. Furthermore, we highlight some of the potential practical and therapeutic opportunities provided by the approach through an illustration of how photographs work to enhance self-reflection and promote hermeneutic sense making.

Sowing social inclusion for marginalised residents of a social housing development through a community garden

“…24 Four images of CGs were provided to stimulate the focus group participants in engaging and reflective communication. Besides acting as a stimuli for interactive discussion in interpretative phenomenological analysis, 25 photo-elicitation offers the researcher the opportunity for distinctive insider's perspective, as well as informed objective interpretation, 26 while further reducing the power difference between the researcher and the study participants. 27 Although par- Overall, three focus groups were held at the common room of the SHD, a setting agreed to be convenient for the participants.…”

Image and word on the street: a reflexive, phased approach to combining participatory visual methods and qualitative interviews to explore resilience with street connected young people in Guatemala City

“…Practically speaking, transcripts were initially analysed by two researchers, working independently. For each individual participant, annotations were made to identify key, recurring descriptors or concepts (Burton et al, 2017;Smith, 2009). Subsequently, these were clustered together into themes for individual participants.…”

“…It is commonplace for image elicitation and participatory photography to be combined in a strategy known as 'auto-driven photo elicitation' (Pauwels, 2015), wherein participant-generated images are used to elicit interview responses. Such combinations (Burton et al, 2017;Minthorn & Marsh, 2016;Mizen & Ofosu-Kusi, 2013) reveal a methodological palette for use together or alongside more traditional methods, according to the demands of a project (Chalfen, 2011), or participants' skills and sensory preferences (Hackett et al, 2015;Stevenson, 2014). Rather than regarding visual methods as off-the-peg tools, we propose a fluid, phased, reflexive approach to their use, reflecting a need to engage participants in activities that are meaningful and enjoyable (Hackett et al, 2015).…”

‘I am free in my wheelchair but pain does have a say in it though’: The meaning and experience of quality of life when living with paraplegia and chronic pain

“…IPA involves a 'double hermeneutic' in which the researcher aims to make sense of the participants' making sense of their world, and so employs an interpretative epistemology to uncover detailed understandings of 'lived experience' grounded in participant accounts rather than exploring a priori scientific constructs (Smith et al, 2009). As QoL is a challenging concept to define (e.g, Blaxter, 1990;Carr & Higginson, 2001), participants' narratives were employed to guide and develop an understanding of the concepts central to QoL for this group without being limited by pre-existing models or constructs (Burton et al, 2017).…”

“…There are a number of limitations to traditional quantitative and functionfocussed approaches to the exploration of QoL (Burton, Hughes & Dempsey, 2017;Hammell, 2007). Despite a vast range of measures many fail to be adequately checked for reliability and validity (Wilson et al, 2011), and many are criticised by those with SCI for failing to adequately capture QoL experiences (Whitehurst et al, 2014).…”