(Re)performing emotions in diary-interviews

Abstract

Research with mothers who snowboard generated emotionally rich data. In this article, we make the case for combining diaries and interviews in research concerned with understanding the fluid and complex nature of emotions and subjectivities. The diary-interview method can also enable participants to exert greater influence over the interview agenda than they might if they simply engaged in a one-off interview. In the first part of the article, we provide an overview of the literature about the use of diaries in research before discussing the combination of diary and interview. In the second part of the article, we draw on the data produced by one participant, to illustrate how the diary-interview method can facilitate the sharing and collection of emotional data, and provide a glimpse of the constitution of subjectivity. While we found that the diary-interview method proved insightful, we add a note of caution about the potential for intrusion and/or harm.