Embedding Creative Methods in the Life History Calendar Approach: Enhancing DATA Quality of Biographical Research in Vulnerable Populations

Many studies in biographical research employ retrospective interviewee reports, often involving lengthy or remote recall periods. Given the difficult answering task involved, researchers developed supportive data collection approaches, like aided recall procedures and conversational interviewing. One principal approach – the Life History Calendar methodology (LHC) – fits biographical research well and offers opportunities for creative methods. Through a narrative literature review, this paper explores how creative methods may expand the LHC and add to tailor-made methods that fit vulnerable populations like older people, refugees, low literate persons, or mental health patients.

The LHC employs a visual tool to gather life history data about multiple life domains. Core to the tool is a graphical timeframe that aims to facilitate access to long-term memory and help participants to interconnect events mentally and/or visually. This paper focuses on the impact that embedding visual and creative methods in LHC procedures has on gathering sensitive biographical data as well as on the interaction between interviewer and interviewee.

Research indicates that the visual display of the LHC-tool makes it easier to refer indirectly (e.g., without words) to sensitive topics, resulting in more self-disclosure. On the other hand, the visual display of sensitive information (e.g., stressful events) may also evoke emotional distress. Often less emphasized, is the possibility to employ the LHC as a cooperative effort between interviewer and interviewee. The impact of co-construction - using (visual) creative methods - on the power relation within the interview setting, adds to the LHC impact on data quality. Research suggests that such an interactive LHC-approach helps build rapport and especially enhances capturing narratives of emotionally sensitive events.

This paper seeks to integrate theoretical and empirical findings on the stated issues and draws conclusions about opportunities that creative methods in LHC methodology provide for data collection in vulnerable populations.