Photo-elicitation interviewing as part of mixed-methods evaluation: Putting the participant in the driver’s seat

Abstract Information:

Background: Many evaluations incorporate qualitative data collection methods such as focus groups, observations, and participant interviews. While such methods are well-suited to providing a depth of information not readily obtained from quantitative data, they fall short in gathering the participants’ perspectives in their own voices. Participant-generated photo-elicitation interviewing (PEI) is an emerging qualitative methodology that can enhance the meaning, value, and inclusivity of evaluation by allowing participants to direct the conversation with evaluators and share their experiences and perspectives without the filter of questions developed by the study team. PEI builds on emerging qualitative methods, used especially within anthropology and sociology, to help elicit the ideas and perspectives of those under study with visual images. Unlike open-ended interviews or focus groups, both of which are structured around the evaluators’ key questions, PEI puts the participant in charge of leading and shaping the discussion with the evaluators, which revolves around a series of photographs taken prior to the discussion by the participants. This novel approach to data collection is particularly useful in exploratory studies, when traditional qualitative interviews have reached saturation, and in mixed-methods studies to complement other methods. We believe this methodology is underused in the field of evaluation broadly speaking.

Objectives: 1) To highlight strengths and weaknesses of using participant-generated PEI, and recommendations for best practices. 2) To stimulate interest in and use of participant-generated PEI in evaluation to enhance inclusivity and partnership among participants, evaluators and other stakeholders.

Methods: We will present three diverse examples in which we incorporated PEI into mixed-methods evaluations. Rationale for including PEI, specific approach to PEI, and value added by PEI will be discussed for each case. The presentation will include illustrative photos and corresponding quotes from the interviews for each case.
• The EndoECHO program provided telementoring from an academic specialty team to health care providers in community clinics in rural, underserved New Mexico. Community health care providers became “specialists” in their clinics for the management of complex diabetes in low-income, predominately Latinx patients.
• The Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative was a place-based program that provided funding to low-income neighborhoods in New York City and upstate New York to improve local environments with respect to residents’ access to healthy food and physical activity.
• The Partnerships for Early Childhood Development collaborative funded partnerships between pediatric health clinics and community-based organizations in New York City to screen low-income families seen in the clinics for social needs and refer them to appropriate services to address the identified needs.
Results and

Discussion: The authors will share lessons learned across the three evaluations and recommendations for incorporating participant-generated PEI into future evaluations. While, in many cases, PEI reinforced what we had learned through other data collection methods, in other instances, the participant-directed interviews revealed counter perspectives and offered new insights on previously “saturated” topics. Discussion will focus on how evaluations can use PEI to ensure greater inclusivity of multiple viewpoints and participants’ experiences and perceptions.