Multi-Method Synergy: Using The Life History Calendar and Life as a Film for Retrospective Narratives

• In Event: New Vistas for Qualitative Research

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the utility of two data collection methods, the Life History Calendar (LHC) (Axinn et al 1999) and the Life as a Film (LAAF) procedure (Canter & Youngs 2015), for collecting retrospective life histories from incarcerated chronic offenders. We note the respective advantages of the LHC and the LAAF for understanding patterns of offending, particularly for capturing the dynamic social contexts of major life events and reflected appraisals during critical periods of the life-course of offenders. Most importantly, we argue that using the LHC and the LAAF together not only supplements the deficiencies of each method, but also that they work together synergistically to improve the breadth and depth of retrospective data collection as well as our ability to understand the interaction of social contexts and reflected appraisals. Suggestions for applying these two methods in concert in other research contexts or populations and possible refinements are also discussed.

Authors

• Timothy Kang, University of Toronto

• Candace Kruttschnitt, University of Toronto

• Phil Goodman, University of Toronto