Qualitative research on LGBT-parent families

Abstract

This chapter brings together some of the analytical foci that characterize the fields of family studies and sexuality studies, situating “family sexuality” at the conceptual heart of the equation. It provides both a methodological introduction and practical guidance to qualitative methods and demonstrates how a qualitative mixed methods (QMM) approach can open up new insights on intergenerational relationships and the experience and meanings of parenthood and childhood in LGBT-parent families. It introduces traditional qualitative research methods such as the semi-structured interview and new approaches such as the psychosocial biographical narrative interview and participatory techniques involving diaries and visual methods. I show how visual methods are particularly useful in eliciting data on the intersecting dimensions of family relationships, mapping the emotional geography of households, and enabling children to equally participate in family research. Using empirical data to illustrate different methods, this chapter demonstrates the analytical rewards that are offered through creativity in research design and discusses how such rich and dynamic data can be brought together in analysis.