GJSS Vol 10-2 Hill.pdf (721.45 kB)
Using participatory and visual methods to address power and identity in research with young people
journal contribution
posted on 2013-07-12, 14:17 authored by Joanne L. HillResearch with young people and children has developed over a number of
years an argument for researching with, rather than on, younger participants
(Thomson, 2008; Valentine, 1999). In qualitative research, the ways in which
we carry out empirical research, the relationships that are developed between
researchers and participants, the knowledge that is produced and the epistemological
and theoretical foundations can be affected by how as powerful
researchers we aim to observe and analyse. Where age, gender and ethnicity
intersect in creating something of a “difference” between researcher and participants,
these issues can need greater consideration. This paper presents
some methodological background to the choices made concerning data production
during a project in which a white, female, late-20s researcher with a
feminist theoretical background investigated physical activity engagement by
a diverse cohort of 13-14 year old students in an inner city secondary school
in the Midlands, UK. By combining visual ethnography, interviews and collaborative
photography, the project aimed to address concerns about student
voice in research with young people on their school and sport experiences
(O’Sullivan & MacPhaill, 2010). The paper considers some possibilities and
challenges of using this methodology within school-based studies. Reflections
from this project are offered on the ways in which participants retained power
over content and meaning of their photographic contributions, and researcher
relationships in the field. Visual methods are argued to offer an additional tool
in tackling traditional power relations and encouraging participant investment.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Citation
HILL, J., 2013. Using participatory and visual methods to address power and identity in research with young people. Graduate Journal of Social Science, 10 (2), 20pp.Publisher
Amsterdam University Press © Graduate Journal of Social ScienceVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)
Publication date
2013Notes
This article was published in the Graduate Journal of Social Science. The website is at: http://www.gjss.nl/eISSN
1572-3763Language
- en