Frequently Asked Questions

Photo elicitation is a qualitative data collection method where photographs are used in interviews to elicit conversation. In Native STEM Portraits, we use photographs that the participants created in response to three prompts about the supports and barriers to staying in STEM and their identities as Native scientists.  

Native STEM Portraits is a mixed methods study because it employs both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods – photo elicitation and surveys. Then, the final data analysis “mixes” them together. We initially analyze each type of data independently, but then we bring them together to triangulate our findings and to see how the data complement each other. 

Our recruitment outreach hailed participants from across the country through the AISES network. We surveyed and interviewed Native undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in the following STEM disciplinary categories: biological sciences; computer science and engineering; mathematics, physical, and earth sciences. Participants self-identified according to the following gender identity categories: cisgendered women, cisgendered men, transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary/third gender individuals. Participants also identified with the following sexual orientations: gay, two-spirit, bisexual, straight, asexual, queer, and pansexual. In terms of tribal nations, the study included participants from all the major regions of the country, including the Pacific Coastal region. We also had participants with and without disabilities. 

Following strong social science practices, we strive to keep the identities of our project participants anonymous. For this reason, all participants are given pseudonyms, and we do not specify their sub-disciplines or institutions. We also do not identify participants’ tribal affiliations in our work because we want to further preserve their anonymity. Native scientists are a very small percentage of the STEM student population and workforce. If we shared tribal affiliations and disciplines, then it is possible that others could figure out the identity of the participant. Our participants have also shared personal, sometimes traumatic experiences with us, and we want to honor their vulnerability and trust in us by preserving their anonymity. Sometimes, participants give us explicit permission to share photos with some identifiable features, like their faces, but in these cases, we ensure that they understand the risk of being recognized. Our research conduct is overseen by TERC’s Institutional Review Board (Federal-Wide Assurance Number 00010418). 

Our team is currently working on analyzing the data and developing publications. If you are interested in learning more about what we have published and recorded so far, please go to the Team Publications page, or follow the links below for specific topics.  

Before Native STEM Portraits, we conducted a pilot with Native women and two-spirit undergraduate students in computing. We published the following from that study:  

We are happy to work with individuals, institutions, and organizations interested in showing the photo exhibition at their locations. They would be required to fill out a loan agreement, which would be provided by the Native STEM Portraits (NSP) Team after having a virtual meeting with the interested parties. Given that the NSP project is coming to the end of its grant cycle, individuals, institutions, and organizations would also have to agree to cover all shipping and related insurance costs. To find out more details about the Native Voices in STEM photo exhibition, click HERE to access our exhibition packet, and click HERE to inquire about the photo exhibition.   

 

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