Affordances and Challenges of Implementing Photo Elicitation With Native Participants

• In Event: Culturally Situated Approaches in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This paper examines the affordances and challenges of using photo elicitation (PE) with Native participants. We used participant-generated PE, meaning participants took their own photographs, then shared and discussed them with us. We found that this type of PE is culturally relevant because participants have a sense of ownership of the data, it promotes relationality between participant and interviewer, it has the potential to portray Native culture and values, and it promotes introspection and creativity. The most significant challenges we encountered were related to technical and logistical hurdles and participants’ interpretation of the request for photographs. Given that many challenges can be pre-empted with careful planning, we consider that PE’s affordances far outweigh its challenges in research with Native participants.

Authors

• Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, TERC

• Maria Ong, TERC

• Lisette Esmeralda Torres-Gerald, TERC

• Tiffany D. Smith, AISES

• Christina Silva, TERC

• Kathy DeerInWater, American Indian Science & Engineering Society