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Lessons from photoelicitation: encouraging working men to speak

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:35 authored by Natalia SlutskayaNatalia Slutskaya, Alexander Simpson, Jasson Hughes
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of incorporating such visual methods as photoelicitation and photovoice into qualitative research, in order to retrieve something that, as a result of particular group socialisation, has been hidden, unspoken of or marginalised. Design/methodology/approach The research design combines 40 in-depth verbal interviews with male butchers, with the use of photoelicitation and photovoice, in order to increase participant control of data generation. Findings Results suggest that photoelicitation enabled working-class men to engage with themes which are rarely reflected on or discussed; which may sit uneasily with desired presentations of self; and which challenge traditional notions of gendered work. It prompted participants to elaborate and translate their daily experiences of physical labour into more expressive and detailed accounts. This provided room for the display of positive emotions and self-evaluation and the surfacing of the aesthetics and the pleasures of the trade – aspects that might have been otherwise concealed as a result of adherence to identity affirming norms. Photoelicitation also evoked powerful nostalgic themes about the past: a lament for the loss of skills; the passing of the time of closer communities and more traditional values. Originality/value The use of photovoice and photoelicitation in the exploration of a class and gendered “habitus” has highlighted the power of visual methods to offer a closer look at what participants considered important, to open space for the emergence of unexpected topics and themes and to allow for more comprehensive and reflective elaboration on specificities of personal experiences and emotions.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management

ISSN

1746-5648

Publisher

Emerald

Issue

1

Volume

7

Page range

16-33

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-10-18

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