Using reflexive lifelines in biographical interviews to aid the collection, visualisation and analysis of resilience

Abstract

RESCuE is an FP7 funded project that examines the patterns of resilience during socioeconomic crises among households in nine European countries. The project is led and co-ordinated by Dr.

Life Histories and Lifelines: A Methodological Symbiosis for the Study of Female Genital Mutilation

“…On the one hand, based on the researcher’s questions, the lifeline technique also established the most relevant events from these women’s perspectives, in chronological order, despite communication barriers or difficulties (Gray & Dagg, 2018; Kolar et al, 2015; Monico et al, 2020). On the other hand, new data were obtained or previous data were improved, thanks to the depth of reflection facilitated by the lifelines (Copeland & Agosto, 2012; Gray & Dagg, 2018; Martin, 2003; Schubring et al, 2019) and the ability to collect data other than in verbal or written form (Glaw et al, 2017).…”

“…On the one hand, based on the researcher’s questions, the lifeline technique also established the most relevant events from these women’s perspectives, in chronological order, despite communication barriers or difficulties (Gray & Dagg, 2018; Kolar et al, 2015; Monico et al, 2020). On the other hand, new data were obtained or previous data were improved, thanks to the depth of reflection facilitated by the lifelines (Copeland & Agosto, 2012; Gray & Dagg, 2018; Martin, 2003; Schubring et al, 2019) and the ability to collect data other than in verbal or written form (Glaw et al, 2017). Likewise, unexpected data also appeared during the process of associating drawings or symbols with the events, and these were revealing in terms of understanding the FGM phenomenon and its socio-cultural context by linking stories with their social, political and environmental contexts (Adriansen, 2012; Copeland & Agosto, 2012).…”

Relationship Timelines, Dyadic Interviews, and Visual Representations: Implementation of an Adapted Visual Qualitative Technique

“…Timelines and other visual life history techniques have become increasingly popular across academic disciplines. In research, visual life history techniques can organize participants’ narrative data (Patterson et al, 2012), aid in depicting changes over time (de Vries, 2013; Elder, 1998), and facilitate the analysis of life transitions, transformations, and trajectories (Berends, 2011; Boyd et al, 1998; Bremner, 2020; de Vries, 2013; de Vries et al, 2017; Fals-Stewart et al, 2003; Gramling & Carr, 2004; Gray & Dagg, 2018; Nico, 2016). As a participatory process, timelines offer research participants an opportunity to identify and discuss subjectively important life events, help anchor the interview in participants’ lived experiences, and enable participants and researchers to together explore events and experiences in greater depth (Bagnoli, 2009; Goldenberg et al, 2016).…”

“…As a participatory process, timelines offer research participants an opportunity to identify and discuss subjectively important life events, help anchor the interview in participants’ lived experiences, and enable participants and researchers to together explore events and experiences in greater depth (Bagnoli, 2009; Goldenberg et al, 2016). Timeline methods encourage reflexivity among participants (Berends, 2011; Bremner, 2020; Gray & Dagg, 2018; Kolar et al, 2015), and may contribute to improved understanding of the significance and meaning ascribed to life events (de Vries, 2013; de Vries et al, 2017; Gramling & Carr, 2004).…”