Photo-eliciting technique as an integrated meaning-making practice: an introspective look at diversity, identities, and voice-giving

Abstract

The affordance of participant voice is a widely acclaimed feature of photo-eliciting techniques. Yet, how this voice is afforded to participants is not always elaborated. This article reflects on the use of a photo-eliciting technique in an ethnically diverse context. Using a study with a group of Filipino youth in Hong Kong, the article draws attention to methodological considerations that led to the design of a photo-eliciting technique in interviews that elicited deeper thinking from participants. The analysis constructs the technique as a meaning-making practice to illustrate the interconnections between epistemological stance, methodological decisions and interpretive exercises in the study, which altogether constitute the practice of voice-giving to participants. The attention to voice-giving indicates the need for researchers to pay more regard to the reflexivity and the intricate ordering of epistemethodological aspects of photo-eliciting techniques that underpin the ‘who’ and ‘how’ of making participants’ voice heard.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the American Educational Research Association (International Relations Committee International Travel Award); The Education University of Hong Kong (Diversity, Equity and Social Inclusion Group); University of Tasmania (Tasmania Graduate Research and Tuition Fee Scholarhips).

Notes on contributors

Jan Gube

Jan Gube is Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong. His research and publications explore the cultural identities of minoritised young people in school and community settings. He has an interest in ethnographic and visual methods and is leading a project that promotes equity and inclusion in Hong Kong classrooms.