Another perspective: Reflections on using qualitative video-recall procedures in sexual communication research with partnered gay men

Abstract

As sex cultures evolve in complexity, so too must our research procedures. We introduce qualitative video-recall procedures and discuss the unique opportunities they present in the study of sexual communication. In a pilot study, three diverse gay male couples had video-recorded conversations about aspects of their sexual relationships that they wished to change or explore. Partners then individually watched and reflected on their partnered conversations during open-ended video-recall interviews. We discuss how reflexively engaging with these research procedures enabled the first author to (1) confront dominant and restrictive assumptions about partnered sex, (2) observe how interpersonal dynamics shape sexual communication, and (3) enhance cultural reflexivity.