Table 1 Activity stages in the WeValue InSitu (WVIS) shared values approach

The trigger list is a list of values statements that act as prompts for participants. The list is created through interviewing local researchers and individuals familiar with local culture, on the priorities important to local communities. These are open-coded for emerging concepts of shared values, and then the draft list is then cross-referenced with a global reference version (which was built up over 10 years of research) to ensure no important values concepts are missing. Local researchers, and experienced WeValue researchers, are both indispensable here.

The photos and mechanisms for participants to engage in the WeValue process are modified depending on local culture: sometimes this is trial and error. For example, a Bingo-style card can be used for participants to circle numbers of statements they agree with as they are read out, instead of reading and marking the list itself. The set of 60+ photos are adapted to show people and scenarios with familiar characteristics to the local participants.

(Where such localised materials are carefully developed, and the groups chosen for the WeValue sessions have historical experiences in common, then the process is in-situ crystallisation and named WVIS.) In Kaffrine, Senegal, the usual photos used during photo elicitation were adapted, as in their current form they prompted discussions amongst the groups that moved away from their set context. Thus, a selection of small black and white icons was used in place of the colour photos.

WeValue main session 2–4 hours

Group Contextualisation

During this stage the boundaries of the participating group members are set for example “Mothers in Hyderabad”. This is absolutely essential since in the following stages the group thinking relates back to this context as a reference.

Photo-elicitation

During this stage participants will describe something of personal ‘importance’ to them about group membership and are invited to select a ‘prop’ from a collection of localised photos.

Triggered Meaning-making

During this stage participants select statements from the Localised Trigger List that resonate with them. Participants are then expertly facilitated to have discussions leading to tacit-explicit meaning-making cycles [31].

Creation of Framework and Narrative

The written out, negotiated statements of shared values are placed on the table and organised into a framework showing their linkages. A participant then provides a narrative to explain how the statements link. In Kaffrine, Senegal, this process was further structured due to difficulty discussing the concepts amongst the groups. Thus, the facilitator directed the groups to discuss, Qualities, Aspirations and Interactions specifically, as these are the most common elements among WVIS frameworks.

This stage is an optional bolt-on to the WeValue main session and involves asking the participants focus group interview style questions. Topics are left open for participants to choose the direction of the discussion. Topics chosen related to the Hub interventions e.g. early childhood learning environment, nutritional habits and perceptions of stunting.