Lessons Learned Across Three Evaluations Incorporating Participant-Generated Photo Elicitation Interviewing

Carolyn A. Berry, Courtney Abrams, Margaret M. Paul, Rachel E. Massar, Kayla M. Fennelly, Beth C. Weitzman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Qualitative interviews and focus groups are commonly used methods to elicit participants’ voices in program evaluations. However, the use of these data-gathering methods can fall short of the goal; even with open-ended questions, the protocols guiding and shaping interviews and focus groups heavily reflect the evaluators’ understanding and experience of the program or intervention under consideration and its target population(s). In this paper, we describe three cases that employed a method of inquiry that is underutilized in evaluation but one that we believe holds great potential as a method to enhance interpersonal reflexivity, namely participant-generated photo-elicitation interviewing (PEI). Across three diverse settings and interventions, we readily added participant-generated PEI to our mixed methods evaluations. We found participant-generated PEI to add great value to the evaluations by complementing our other data collection methods, allowing for greater participant voice, challenging evaluators’ assumptions, enhancing dissemination efforts, and fostering our reflexivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number10982140251335595
JournalAmerican Journal of Evaluation
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • multi-method evaluations
  • participant perspective
  • photo-elicitation
  • qualitative methods
  • reflexivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Social Psychology
  • Health(social science)
  • Education
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Strategy and Management

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