**4. Methodology**

An exploratory qualitative methodology was used. Methods included a semi-structured interview protocol used to solicit feedback from participants and Photovoice. The research was carried out in four (4) phases between 2020 and 2021:

Phase 1: An audio taped interview lasting approximately one and a half hours if permitted.

Phase 2. Provision of three representations of the subject's life presently in pictures which they deemed very important in their livelihood for the newsletter. This was to facilitate the Photovoice aspect of the research.

Phase 3: Head picture portraits were taken for the newsletter, and three simple questions regarding the subject's current life and what they thought was needed were asked. This is to be highlighted in a glossy magazine as a research output.

Phase 4: Publication of newsletter.

All four (4) phases were completed.

Photovoice is a participatory method articulated by Wang and Burris (1997), in which the participants use cameras to capture visual representations of their everyday lives so that the researcher working with the individuals can gain insight into practices that may otherwise be only described in words. This additional method can help communities to better engage in critical dialogue around the problems and issues they face in the aftermath of a disaster. The participants were active researchers using cameras, which identified and captured important areas of their lives. These images were collated as part of the research to provide visual highlights of the feedback from the women. The pictures from each participant were collated and placed in a newsletter under the participants' responses to gaps in their needs. Five

of the seven women agreed to be highlighted in this newsletter. The newsletter was published for dissemination.

The interviews were carried out by two (2) social work students, who had graduated with their BSc. in Social Work form the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Both students live and work in Dominica. Meetings and training were held via Zoom. Students were also given written instructions as to how to conduct the interviews. Each interview took approximately one hour and all were conducted in 2021–2022. The women were not compensated for the interviews; they volunteered to be part of the research and to share their experiences. An eighth participant was identified, but due to difficulties in meeting with the research assistant, she could not participate in the interview. The research was structured to interview at least ten (10) individuals; however, this research was carried out during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such many challenges were encountered. This chapter highlighted the results of the semi-structured interviews with the seven (7) women. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim for analysis.
