Reflections on the implementation of qualitative research techniques in a study on emotions during temporary migration in Canada and New Zealand

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present some reflections which primarily explain why a qualitative technique, called «photo evocation» –showing images to evoke emotions– turned out pertinent only in one of the two contexts in which we used it.; an event that shows that it is essential for the researcher to be prepared to make adjustments in situ.  The reflections arise from the results of an investigation in which we compared certain elements of the profile of male and female informants who participated in two temporary migration programs in Canada and New Zealand between 2015 and 2019. Both of these offer precarious working conditions for men and women of different nationalities, social classes, levels of schooling and age. The fieldwork was conducted in different locations in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico and New Zealand. Before conducting the fieldwork in New Zealand, we thought that this technique could be applied in all contexts. However, the technique worked in the Canadian, Mexican and Guatemalan settings, but not in the New Zealand setting. In this article, we present these reflections with the intention that they may be useful for people interested in developing fieldwork with a qualitative and comparative methodological approach.