What About Field Notes? Examining Two Approaches to Field Notes Practice in Participatory Visual Research

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Getting Better at Qualitative Methods

Abstract

A cornerstone of ethnographic and qualitative research, fieldnotes are an important site where researchers make sense of their work. This paper describes the complexities of fieldnotes practices within two participatory visual research projects: 1) private written fieldnotes in a study exploring gender and water in Cameroon through photovoice and participatory video; and 2) public visual fieldnotes in a study examining marginalized youth identity in Hong Kong through cellphilm-production. Findings show that in relation to the study of identity, reflexivity, community-based research, and knowledge mobilization, examining fieldnotes is necessary to bring about more equitable and ethical research. The paper offers critical reflections on ethics, modalities, and audiences, useful for researchers developing methodology courses, and reflecting on their own fieldnotes practices.

Authors

• Casey Megan Burkholder, University of New Brunswick

• Jennifer Thompson, McGill University