About Research - Qualitative Data Collection: Photo Elicitation

Photo elicitation is a qualitative data collection technique in which the researcher includes photographs or other visual images as part of participant interviews. The researcher might provide the photographs or might ask the participants to bring photographs to the interview. This technique enhances the breadth and depth of verbal qualitative interviews. The use of photo elicitation can enhance the rigor of a qualitative study. There are both advantages and disadvantages of this data collection technique. Ethical issues warrant special consideration.