Life Histories
Life histories can be used in monitoring and evaluation to trace how recent interventions fit into the wider lives of beneficiaries or change agents.
Related Tools
Digital Tools
Thematic Analysis
Sensemaking Workshop
Generating Insights
Journey Mapping
Life histories approaches collect insights related to personal, relational, organisations, programmatic and community changes. During interviews, participants collaboratively fill in a timeline canvas with the facilitator. This timeline is used as a conversation starter around recent changes related to WASH and gender. The method can also be used by multiple people from the same household representing different generations.
When interviewing multiple members of the same household, extra care should be taken to review ethical considerations and reflect on potential areas of conflict (see the Do No Harm Strategy and Protocol). This version of life histories is conducted in a structured and rapid manner.
By interviewing multiple people across generations within a single household, the approach has a unique ability to triangulate and identify tensions within narratives of change. Interviews can be conducted with approximately four household members individually over the age of 18. If time permits, interviews can be audio recorded and a thematic analysis of the responses can be conducted. These can be partnered with the timeline outputs. Interviews should be conducted with two facilitators – one to take notes and one to lead the conversation.
The approach has three objectives:
- Encourage participants to reflect on their own lives and the changes related to the program
- Support participants to direct the nature of interviews
- Collect GESI-related insights through timelines
Step 1. Identify and recruit participants
Identify participants based on family groups of key beneficiaries or change agents. Ideally, 2-4 participants from each family. Participants should be over 18 years old to avoid ethical restrictions. Be sure to individually ask each participant if they are willing to participate, as you do not want to unwittingly pressure someone into participating. Participants can be invited over the phone or in person.
Step 2. Prepare for interviews
Prepare for the interview:
- Identify the two facilitators who will conduct the interview. One should be the notetaker and one should lead the interview.
- Determine if the interviews will be audio recorded or if there will be photographs. If so, prepare a device and backup device.
- Select how data will be entered and stored.
- Prepare a gift such as a fruit basket or soap for the families based on the policy of the program.
- Prepare and print participation information sheets and A3 interview canvases. Print or prepare digital interview note sheets and consent forms. If participants have lower levels of literacy, you may include cards to prompt ideas.
Step 3. Conduct the interviews
The interview should be conducted in four main steps:
- Consent and introduction– Introduce yourself, the research objectives and gain research consent
- WASH timeline (the top half of the canvas) – Entries can include items like getting access to a latrine or buying a water filter. Entries can be drawn or written and completed by either the participant or the facilitator.
- Gender timelines (the bottom half of the canvas) – Work with the participant to fill in a historical timeline of gender-related changes. Use the bottom half of the canvas. Entries can include items like getting married, taking on a new job, or having a child.
- WASH experiences – Select one ‘bubble’ to explore in more detail. You may want to select either the most recent gender or WASH change. Flip the page over and create a mind map of how each different person in the family has experienced the change.
You may also choose to use a journey mapping template rather than the timeline approach.
Step 4. Compile responses
The fourth step is to compile all the data together in a single location. This can be completed through an online platform such as Dedoose, Dovetail, Airtable or Google Sheet. If you have audio recordings, transcribe and translate them as required. Tools such as Happy Scribe or Dovetail can be useful for longer audio interview data.
Step 5. Data analysis, sensemaking and sharing
,The final step is to analyse the stories and timelines to identify key themes to share with relevant stakeholders. We recommend conducting three types of analysis and sensemaking in an analysis workshop.
- Compile timelines. Bring all the timeline data together by family. Identify commonalities and divergences.
- Collaborative thematic analysis. Use the doc, sheet, or slide analysis templates to conduct thematic analysis. Cluster and group similar changes together.
- Conduct a sensemaking workshop and generate insights.
Travel Restricted Times
While life histories are best collected in person, they can also be completed using participatory and remote methods.
Keeping in mind differences in access and literacy, think about different ways to facilitate and plan this approach.
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Computer and internet access |
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Smartphone and internet access |
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Basic phone access |
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See an example of participatory activities using Google Slide.
Learn more on the digital tools page.
This two-page canvas forms the basis of the life history interviews. The canvases can be printed or drawn. You can use the front and back of a single A3 page. The canvas features three main sections.
- (frontside top) WASH Timeline – A history of WASH-related changes within the family. Items can include things like getting a new toilet or water filter.
- (frontside bottom) Gender Timeline – A history of gender-related changes within the family. Items can include things like getting married, getting a new job, or having a child.
- (backside) Experience Comparison – A mind-map that explores how different memebers of a household experience one selected change. Each branch of the map can be used for a different family member.
Materials and Resources
Sample Life History Canvases
This two-page canvas forms the basis of the life history interviews. The canvases can be printed or drawn. You can use the front and back of a single A3 page.
Sample Participant Information Sheet
This information sheet is to be shared with participants in advance of the first workshop. The template should be updated and translated as required.
Sample Interview Guide
This interview guide can be used as a guideline to frame life history discussions. The template should be updated and translated as required.The guide also includes a consent template form is used to ensure informed participation and consent.
Planning Template
Planning Checklist
Do-no-harm Strategy
Integrity Checklist
Effective Interviewing Guide
Learn more
Ali R (2014) Empowerment beyond resistance: Cultural ways of negotiating power relations. Women’s Studies International Forum 45 (2014) 119–126. DOI: 10.1016/j.wsif.2013.05.019.
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