Doing Visual Research
- Claudia Mitchell - McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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.
I was mislead by the title, which is actually too broad. This book needs a subtitle on the cover to specify its scope. I thought it was about visual research in general, more like a methodology book. But it focuses mostly on ethnographic methods, which are reminiscient of visual anthropology, and focuses on a specific geography (sub-Saharan Africa). It is also too much policy oriented. Due to its narrow focus (according to my expectations) it is not suitable for my Theory and Method in Media Visual and Cultural Studies course. Thank you for sending the copy.
The module is about the nature of research and its relationship to creativity. Many of the students are working in visual and creative fields. The book is recommended for them. It is a useful source for students who need to understand the function and value of research paradigms but avoid getting trapped in technique. I like it's approach which is summed up for me by the chapter title, "What can a visual researcher do with a camera?" "
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.
The book is useful in that it offers clear conceptualisations of the theory of visualisation and clear examples of how to do visual analysis. From the viewpoint of computer science and information systems, a more explicit stance towards technology is something that we have to develop ourselves. In this development this book offers good background knowledge.
Unusual research methods that are not usually discussed in other research manuals, but not central to the class. Otherwise, an excellent resource.
Unsure whether this book is appropriate for the type of research our students do. Have not had time to review it fully.
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
An excellent introducton to the practice of doing visual research.
Just wasn't the right match for the course. I preferred the visual methodologies text.
Although this is an excellent book in its own right, it is very detailed in terms of visual research methodology, and it is too complex for students working at the level required by this module.
