QueerVIEW: Protocol for a Technology-Mediated Qualitative Photo Elicitation Study With Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Background The experiences of resilience and intersectionality in the lives of contemporary sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are important to explore. SGMY face unique experiences of discrimination in both online and offline environments, yet simultaneously build community and seek support in innovative ways. SGMY who identify as transgender, trans, or gender nonconforming and have experiences with child welfare, homelessness, or immigration have been particularly understudied. A qualitative exploration that leverages technology may derive new understanding of the negotiations of risk, resilience, and identity intersections that impact the well-being of vulnerable SGMY. Objective The objectives of the QueerVIEW study were to (1) enhance understanding of SGMY identities, both online and offline, (2) identify experiences of intersectionality among culturally, regionally, and racially diverse SGMY in Ontario, Canada, (3) explore online and offline sources of resilience for SGMY, and (4) develop and apply a virtual photo elicitation methodological approach. Methods This is the first study to pilot a completely virtual approach to a photo elicitation investigation with youth, including data collection, recruitment, interviewing, and analysis. Recruited through social media, SGMY completed a brief screening survey, submitted 10 to 15 digital photos, and then participated in an individual semistructured interview that focused on their photos and related life experiences. Online data collection methods were employed through encrypted online file transfer and secure online interviews. Data is being analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach, with six coders participating in structured online meetings that triangulated photo, video, and textual data. Results Data collection with 30 participants has been completed and analyses are underway. SGMY expressed appreciation for the photo elicitation and online design of the study and many reported experiencing an emotional catharsis from participating in this process. It is anticipated that results will form a model of how participants work toward integrating their online and offline experiences and identities into developing a sense of themselves as resilient. Conclusions This protocol presents an innovative, technology-enabled qualitative study that completely digitized a popular arts-based methodology—photo elicitation—that has potential utility for contemporary research with marginalized populations. The research design and triangulated analyses can generate more nuanced conceptualizations of SGMY identities and resilience than more traditional approaches. Considerations for conducting online research may be useful for other qualitative research. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/20547

Towards an integrative self: a digital photo elicitation study of resilience among key marginalized populations of sexual and gender minority youth

“…QueerVIEW was a digital photo elicitation study utilizing constructivist grounded theory that was conducted in the province of Ontario, Canada from August 2019 to April 2020. QueerVIEW’s study protocol, including data collection tools, has been published elsewhere (Craig et al, 2020b ). The study was approved by the University of Toronto’s Health Science Research Ethics Board (Protocol #37041).…”

Clues for the Paradigmatic Development of Online Qualitative Methods

“…That became especially clear in the COVID-19 pandemic when "more of our 'real lives' (including both our work and social engagements) are happening virtually" (Howlett, 2021, p. 9). These new windows to participants' lives help researchers explore the intersections of their identities, which can be meaningful (Craig et al, 2020).…”

“…Many times, researchers' personal lives and spaces are also exposed, implying they need now to think more carefully about how they want to be seen (Howlett, 2021). Additionally, technology increases participants' control over when and how researchers access the "field" (Howlett, 2021, p. 8) and over what they (participants) want to disclose (Craig et al, 2020). It is easier (and more socially acceptable) not answering a call than skipping an in-person interview.…”

Engaging the Senses in Qualitative Research via Multimodal Coding: Triangulating Transcript, Audio, and Video Data in a Study With Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

“…Thus, a multimodal analysis can be a way to uncover varied perceptions. For example, interpretations of emotions can be based on the format, so intercoder agreement may be better achieved by analyzing multiple formats of the same data source (Craig et al, 2020).…”

“…Otherwise, people may behave differently, or possibly be more reticent in fully participating compared to audio-recorded interviews (Brown, 2018). An ongoing consent process-wherein participants continue to share control over their image during the dissemination phase of the research project-can also help mitigate privacy concerns regarding video distribution (Craig et al, 2020).…”