SOME PROGRESS OF METHODOLOGY

THIS IS PART OF A FIRST DRAFT OF METHODOLOGY.

PROOFREADING IS NEEDED.





THIS IS JUST UPDATED METHODOLOGY AFTER WE TALKED NOV.15TH.



Photo-elicitation is employed in my study because, as Harper(2002) stated, it induces interviewees to provide their insights into photographs they witness in front of them. Due to the nature of photo-elicitation, its way could awaken informants’ unconsciousness when they try to interpret photographs while asked verbal questions associated with the photographs they look at. It means photo-elicitation is a good way for me, as a researcher, to have glimpses of what interviewees would perceive.

My goal for the interview is to gain insights of both of the subjects and outsiders on photographs they witness. I will use the same selection when conducting interviews.

Even though the interview will be conducted for two different groups; the subjects and outsiders, the photograph selection for interview will be the same. Otherwise, different picture selection will fail to obtain the glimpse of the same pictures which both the subjects and outsiders will interpret. It means that different picture selection according to the subjects and outsiders refrains me from comparing how the two interview group perceive the photographs.

However, I’m aware that the photograph selection for the subjects, the one which subjects can provide their insights more than others, does not mean that the selection is good for outsiders. For instance, the small pot on the steps can be a good selection which might have a lot of stories about what subjects have done with it, but outsiders would not know anything about it when being exposed of it.

Selection criteria will be mixed with natural photographs and photographs containing their activities. Even though natural photographs, the ones portraying their private spaces and places such as rooms and their items, might be more appropriate for photo-elicitation, the single criterion of picture selection might prevent outsiders from deciphering the natural photographs.

- general activity ; alone/ interactions among them.

- natural photographs ; their (private) places and personal items etc.

- activity; their works



For photo-elicitation, after I complete to photograph the subjects, between 8 and 12 photographs will be selected for the interview. Subjects will be given some time taking a look at them by themselves. After their first exposure to the photographs, they will be asked about their first impressions on them. Then, they will be provided additional time for second viewing, and be given some questions I prepare for.

The number of the interviewees including outsider is six - two from the family, eldest daughter and mother; two of the elderly couple and two outsiders.