Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Teachers College Educational ...

that children’s photographs were polysemic – “capable of generating multiple meanings in the viewing
process” (p. 1515). Second, they presented tensions and contrasts between viewers (p. 1516).
Negatives
There were also challenges in using photo elicitation interviews. There was tension between collecting
data and showing compassion towards the interviewee (Clark-Ibánez, 2004, p. 1517). Confidentiality of
the interviewee and the associated ethical dilemmas are also important (Clark-Ibánez, 2004, p. 1517).
Keeping possession of the camera and learning skills to shoot photographs properly is something that
does not occur in regular interview situations that do not involve photographs (Clark-Ibánez, 2004, p.
1517).
Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
The study consists of qualitative methods, specifically oral interviews conducted by the principal
researcher of a 5th grade urban public school class. The method used is a personal photo gallery to elicit
intellectual and affective responses to these images in terms of student conceptions of their own national
identities.
Data sources, evidence, objects or materials
In terms of data sources, evidence, objects or materials, the researcher will utilize a personal photo
gallery to elicit intellectual and affective responses to these images in terms of student conceptions of
their own national identities. I would like to expand this research into media
production/collection/elicitation where students create their own photography, videos or utilize found
objects, etc. to help them explore their national identity.
Results and/or substantiated conclusions or warrants for arguments/point of view
Although there was no clear distinction between the intellectual and affective domains, it is clear from
student responses that photo elicitation interviews hold promise in assisting educational researchers in
eliciting results that may not normally be provided students from who are younger in age, second
language learners or immigrants from other nations.
Scientific or scholarly significance of the study or work
The scholarly significance of this work is that studying photo elicitation interview techniques begins to
explore a potentially highly useful way to elicit interview information from students and young people who
may be less capable than older people in terms of providing affective and intellectual answers in
interview-type settings. Further, with the advent of low-cost media production techniques, photo elicitation
may be the first in the digital production field in terms of being used within research settings (e.g.
analogous techniques could be employed in video production, audio production, video game
development, online social networking, mobile phone technology, etc.). As a result, the lessons learned
from this methodology could provide the lingua franca for digital media production elicitation techniques.
References
Clark-Ibánez, M. (2004). Framing the social world with photo-elicitation interviews.
American Behavioral Scientist, 47, 1507-1527. DOI: 10.1177/0002764204266236.
http://abs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/47/12/1507
Collier, Jr., J. (1967). Interviewing with photographs, Chapter 6 in Visual Anthropology:
Photography as a Research Method. New York: Holt, Rinehart.
Harper, D. (2002). Talking about pictures: A case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies, 17(1),
13-26.
Mead, M. & Bateson, G. (1942). Balinese characters. New York: New York Academy of
Sciences.
Meo, A.I. (2010). Picturing students’ habitus: The advantages and limitations of photo-
elicitation interviewing in a qualitative study in the city of Buenos Aires. International Journal of
Qualitative Methods, 9(2). 149-171.
Suchar, C.S. (1997). Grounding visual sociology in shooting scripts. Qualitative Sociology,
20(1), 33-55.
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