The research method for Invisible: Narratives on homelessness in Revelstoke, B.C. includes a multi-faceted approach. Three different types of data collection – photovoice, semi-structured qualitative interviews, and a self-reflective journal – are incorporated in order to gain a deeper insight into the issue of rural homelessness. Each method allows for a different view on homelessness to be explored: that of the homeless themselves, then of non-homeless community members, and finally that of my own views as a researcher. In total, eight non-homeless participants and seven homeless participants chose to take part in this project. Homeless participants range in age from 21 to 52 and include a couple, two single men, a single woman, and a family of three. Non-homeless participants come from a variety of backgrounds and include businesswomen, social service providers, City of Revelstoke employees, and long-time community members.
Photovoice
The most powerful aspect of this project was one which I did not have complete control over. Homeless participants were asked if they would photograph the spaces they occupied – whether it was where they slept, or where they passed time during the day. In total, five homeless participants took part (the exception was the homeless couple, who had left Revelstoke before a camera could be given to them). Those who chose to participate were provided with a disposable camera containing a roll of 24-exposure film. Known as photovoice, this is a participatory action method, which empowers participants and has been used in a variety of research settings, including projects exploring the issue of homelessness (Strack, Magill & McDonagh, 2004; Wang, Cash &Powers, 2000). Photovoice was chosen as a way to allow participants who have experienced homelessness an alternative method to communicate the stories of their lives. By giving cameras to the homeless I was able to “illustrate multiple perspectives of a given situation […] from the inside as well as out” (Clarke, 2007, p. 27).
Qualitative interview
Semi-structured qualitative interviews with open-ended questions were chosen in order to allow interviews to follow the flow of conversation, as well as the narratives being relayed by participants. The interviews were helpful in exploring the experience of being homeless, as they have the ability to speak not only to the issue of homeless spaces in a rural setting, but also to how the mythology of rural homelessness plays a large part in how rural homelessness is defined (Cloke & Milbourne, 2006). Non-homeless participants took part in an interview which ranged from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the time they were able to commit. Interviews with non-homeless participants explored how they defined homelessness, as well as how this related to any interactions with homeless community members or to thoughts on homeless spaces. These types of questions were intended to discover the ways in which discourses on rural homelessness relate to the concepts of space (Cresswell 1996; 2006) and to further explore the lack of communicated understanding on rural and hidden homeless.
In interviewing homeless community members, consideration was given to the fact that, through my work as a housing outreach worker, I am aware that many homeless individuals struggle with concepts of time (Coopers, Calloway-Thomas & Simonds, 2007). In cases where it was not possible to arrange an exact time and location for an interview to occur, dialogue with the homeless participant took place through a series of shorter interviews, conducted when I was able to find them. Interviews with the homeless were restricted to those 19 years of age and older. The age restriction exists because, as the housing outreach worker, I provide services only to individuals over the age of 19. Individuals under the age of 19 who are not part of a family unit are provided services through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. It was also felt that it would be most beneficial to this project to interview homeless individuals with whom I had already established a relationship.
Interviews were recorded with a digital tape recorder, making for ease of flow during the interview. Interviews were then listened to in their entirety and relevant portions were transcribed for analysis.
Journaling
As I have a dual relationship with the homeless participants, a self-reflective journal is helpful in identifying my biases as a researcher. It also allows me to consider how my personal beliefs and values may affect how participants‟ texts were presented within my research (Malacrida, 2007, p.1330). An online blog format kept an honest and open approach, as my journal was accessible to the public throughout the research process.
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