Mills, Cathy

Using photo-elicitation to examine artefacts in a sport club: Logistical considerations and strategies throughout the research process

Digital Document

There are a number of logistical considerations that need to be addressed when using photo-elicitation in research, yet these are rarely discussed in the existing literature. This paper elucidates the challenges particular to using photo-elicitation in research and proposes strategies for addressing these issues. We drew upon our experiences using a combination of photographs taken by participants and photographs taken by the researcher in photo-elicitation interviews to examine the perceptions of skaters towards various artefacts in a figure skating club. We present the logistical considerations and strategies around the typical steps of the research process: (1) ethics, (2) participant recruitment, (3) data collection, (4) data management, (5) data analysis and (6) dissemination. Despite the numerous challenges and considerations that accompany the use of photographs in research, we found there to be a number of significant benefits when combining participant-driven and research-driven techniques.

Graduate student and instructor engagement in course-based qualitative research: A case study

Digital Document

This case study explores the lived experiences of two graduate students and two university instructors in a course-based qualitative research project. The course design was a research methods course that focused on qualitative research and analysis and provided a vehicle for the instructors to reflect on their experiences and the students' experience of the cognitive and affective demands implicit in the assigned tasks. Findings indicate that development of student research skills is enhanced through student engagement in a real-world research project. This authentic learning experience, although stressful and overwhelming within the timelines of the course schedule, was instrumental in assisting the students to believe they could move forward with greater independence as researchers.

Figure skaters and their families: Tensions and reflections

Digital Document

Conference presentation delivered at the <a href="https://nasss.org/">North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS)</a>, Tampa, Florida, 2016. <p>The presentation examined the complexity of figure skaters’ familial relationships both at home and at the skating rink. Narrative inquiry gave us insight into athletes’ family-related stories increasing our understanding of their subjective and complex worlds (Smith, 2010). We explored seven former figure skaters’ reflections at both personal and social levels (sociality), over time (temporality), and as their participation in high performance sport changed (place; Connelly & Clandinin, 2000). While participants spoke extensively of parental support, they also often spoke of strained/distant relationships with fathers and siblings as well as guilt associated with their participation in the sport (e.g. taking mom away from the family / not achieving potential). While limited time at home sometimes contributed to strained relationships with their family at home, it often resulted in the creation of a ‘skating family’ or a ‘second family’. However, strong relationships with coaches and friends at the skating rink, built on common goals and passion, shifted in negative ways for some athletes when they retired from the sport or went through coaching changes. Participants highlighted tensions surrounding both families as they moved throughout training and retirement.</p>

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