ESRC Research Methods Festival ~ 08ESRC Research Methods Festival ~ 08What is Visual research?What is Visual research?

Jon Prosser, University of LeedsJon Prosser, University of Leeds

What is Visual researchWhat is Visual research

The four ‘R’s of visual researchThe four ‘R’s of visual research

► Researcher found visual dataResearcher found visual data

► Researcher created visual dataResearcher created visual data

► Respondent generated visual dataRespondent generated visual data

► Representation and visual researchRepresentation and visual research

Researcher found visual data: Researcher found visual data: comicscomics

Researcher found visual data: Researcher found visual data: cartooncartoon

Researcher created visual data:Researcher created visual data: positivist framed positivist framed softwaresoftware

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

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. Older people are generous with their time and Older 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’ or ’ or ‘researcher-‘researcher-generated’generated’ i.e., video, photographs or drawings or i.e., video, photographs or drawings or ‘researcher found’‘researcher found’ and taken from comics or magazines. and taken from comics or magazines.

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

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

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

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

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: self portraitself portrait(Courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, Real Life Methods/Timescape, University of Leeds)(Courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, Real Life Methods/Timescape, University of Leeds)

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: time linetime line (Courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, Real Life Methods/Timescape, University of Leeds)(Courtesy of Anna Bagnoli, Real Life Methods/Timescape, University of Leeds)

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

Respondent generated visual data:Respondent generated visual data: mappingmapping