Doing Visual Research
- Claudia Mitchell - McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Communication Research Methods | Research Methods for Cultural Studies | Social Research Methods
Doing Visual Research offers an innovative introduction to the use of photography, collaborative video, drawing, objects, multi-media production and installation in research. Claudia Mitchell explains how visual methods can be used as modes of inquiry as well as modes of representation for social research.
The book looks at a range of conceptual and practical approaches to a range of tools and methods, while also highlighting the interpretive and ethical issues that arise when engaging in visual research. She draws on her own work in the field of visual research throughout to offer extensive examples from a variety of settings and with a variety of populations. Topics covered include:
- Photographs and memory work studies
- Drawing as a participatory visual methodology
- Working with images/Writing about images
- Can visual methods make a difference? From practice to policy
Doing Visual Research takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject of visual research, producing a practical introduction to the subject that will be of great use to students and researchers across the social sciences, and in particular in education, communication, sociology, gender, development, social work and public health.
A very useful textbook to support students who wish to do visual research
This is a very useful text covering some fundamental ideas which students need to adopt to frame their analysis of specific films.
Interesting use of case studies to show how visual research can be conducted. There is not too much theory here and it reads like a PhD study, but its simplicity speaks to the students.
Very useful book on visual methods. More practical in focus than the other older choice in this area.
Useful, if specific, resource for students wishing to gain an insight into visual ethnography. Useful methodological 'pointers' and discussion of issues. May need additional theoretical / conceptual reading to complement?
A modern approach to research. Another dimension of doing a qualitative research. The visual element cannot be over emphasised. Excellent examples at great taste of anthropology.
This is an excellent text that supplements my already existing guidelines for visual research.
The fact that this book takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject of visual research is worthwhile for a departmental elective course such as "Mediated Arts Research". Participatory archiving with drawing and photos is a significant feature included in the book that offers demonstrative new media literacy, unlike other published work. We will be using it as a methodological guide that embarks upon other introductory course materials.
Many of our students like to do something with visual research. Mostly this only turns out to become a way of illicitation, and they continue with spoken or written data. This book offers them other examples. The personal and activist scope is very welcome
A good introduction for practice based research.
