What are Visual Methods Jon Prosser, University of Leeds and Andrew Clark, University of Salford

What are Visual MethodsWhat are Visual Methods

Jon Prosser, University of Leeds and Andrew Clark, University of SalfordJon Prosser, University of Leeds and Andrew Clark, University of Salford

What are visual research methods: an overviewWhat are visual research methods: an overview

The four ‘R’s of visual research methodsThe four ‘R’s of visual research methods

► Researcher found visual dataResearcher found visual data

► Researcher created visual dataResearcher created visual data

► Respondent generated visual dataRespondent generated visual data

► Representation and visualisation of dataRepresentation and visualisation of data

Researcher found visual data: Researcher found visual data: comicscomics

Researcher found visual data: Researcher found visual data: paintingspaintings

Researcher found visual data: Researcher found visual data: cartooncartoon

Researcher created visual data:Researcher created visual data: empirically framed empirically framed softwaresoftware

Researcher created visual data:Researcher created visual data: empirically framed ~ eye empirically framed ~ eye trackingtracking

Researcher created visual data:Researcher created visual data: documentary documentary photographyphotography

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: Arts-based researchArts-based research(Courtesy of Dona Schwartz, ‘Super Bowel’ book, University of Minnesota)(Courtesy of Dona Schwartz, ‘Super Bowel’ book, University of Minnesota)

Researcher created visual data:Researcher created visual data: cultural inventorycultural inventory

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: photo/object-photo/object-elicitationelicitation

1.1. Photographs, film, video, drawings, or objects Photographs, film, video, drawings, or objects are introduced as part of an interview. The aim are introduced as part of an interview. The aim is to explore the significance or meaning of the is to explore the significance or meaning of the images or objects with the respondent. images or objects with the respondent.

2.2. Useful as ‘icebreakers’ and breaks down the Useful as ‘icebreakers’ and breaks down the power differential. power differential.

3.3. People are generous with their time and People are generous with their time and knowledge – pleased you are taking an interest knowledge – pleased you are taking an interest in what they do and their views.in what they do and their views.

4.4. Images/objects act as a neutral or third partyImages/objects act as a neutral or third party

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: Photo/object-Photo/object-elicitationelicitation

6.6. Visual stimuli can be Visual stimuli can be ‘researcher created’‘researcher created’’, ’, ‘researcher-‘researcher-generated’generated’ , or , or ‘researcher found’‘researcher found’ and taken from comics or and taken from comics or magazines etc.magazines etc.

7.7. Use respondents own cultural artefacts for example favourite Use respondents own cultural artefacts for example favourite clothes, cell phones, icons, symbols or spaces they frequent. clothes, cell phones, icons, symbols or spaces they frequent.

8.8. Use respondents own artwork for example drawings, doodles, Use respondents own artwork for example drawings, doodles, sketches, posters, photographs or videos they have created sketches, posters, photographs or videos they have created ~ maybe also record their creation.~ maybe also record their creation.

9.9. Accessing perceptions through image-elicitation may work by Accessing perceptions through image-elicitation may work by taking an indirect route e.g. old films or photographs taking an indirect route e.g. old films or photographs newspapers, magazines.newspapers, magazines.

10.10. Use polysemic quality of photographs ~ ‘projective Use polysemic quality of photographs ~ ‘projective technique’.technique’.

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: Photo/object-Photo/object-elicitationelicitation

Respondent generated visual dataRespondent generated visual data

Flexible approach adopting a wide range of tools Flexible approach adopting a wide range of tools which are modelled on different questions and which are modelled on different questions and individually suited to participants’ own preferences:individually suited to participants’ own preferences:

► Time-linesTime-lines► Self-portraits: draw and writeSelf-portraits: draw and write► Diaries (paper, electronic, photographic, video)Diaries (paper, electronic, photographic, video)► Shooting back: participants’ photographs/video, Shooting back: participants’ photographs/video,

walkabout/ shadowing.walkabout/ shadowing.

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: the walkaboutthe walkabout

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: self portraitself portrait(courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, University of Leeds)(courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, University of Leeds)

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: time linetime line (courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, University of Leeds)(courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, University of Leeds)

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: concept mapsconcept maps

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: mappingmapping

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: via their visual via their visual cultureculture

(courtesy of Kate Wall, University of Newcastle and Steve Higgins, University of (courtesy of Kate Wall, University of Newcastle and Steve Higgins, University of Durham)Durham)

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: shooting backshooting back

Giving cameras to respondents and inviting them to Giving cameras to respondents and inviting them to photograph aspects of their lives gives them the freedom to photograph aspects of their lives gives them the freedom to create their own researchcreate their own research agenda in four ways:agenda in four ways:

1.1. If the images are used later for photo-elicitation it is their If the images are used later for photo-elicitation it is their priorities that are the focus.priorities that are the focus.

2.2. As narrative and a vehicle for personal expression.As narrative and a vehicle for personal expression.

3.3. Gives them time to think things through for themselvesGives them time to think things through for themselves

4.4. Helps redress power imbalance between researcher and Helps redress power imbalance between researcher and researchedresearched

5.5. Be clear about what, why and how.Be clear about what, why and how.

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: with wordswith words

Representation and Visual ResearchRepresentation and Visual Research

Tufte’s golden ruleTufte’s golden rule

What is to be sought in designs for the What is to be sought in designs for the display of information is the clear portrayal display of information is the clear portrayal of complexity. Not the complication of the of complexity. Not the complication of the simple; rather the task of the designer is simple; rather the task of the designer is to give visual access to the subtle and the to give visual access to the subtle and the difficult – that is, the revelation of the difficult – that is, the revelation of the complexity.complexity.

(from John Grady (from John Grady quote)quote)

Representation and Visual ResearchRepresentation and Visual Research

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: diagramsdiagrams

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: diagramsdiagrams

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: graphsgraphs

Representation and Visual Research:Representation and Visual Research: Arts-based researchArts-based research(Courtesy of Dona Schwartz, Kitchen images, University of Minnesota)(Courtesy of Dona Schwartz, Kitchen images, University of Minnesota)