Visual methods means all of the following:

• Analysing existing visual texts (e.g. in media)
• Visual elicitation with participants
• Participants making visual texts
• Researchers making visual texts
• Using the visual in analysis

We will discuss different ways of using the visual in research alongside one key epistemological theory of understanding what it means to look at the world. We will use our own experiences of looking and feeling to consider what visual methods can contribute to our research.

Students attending this workshop will:

• Be able to identify a range of ways in which visuals can be used in research
• Practice using photo elicitation methods
• Be able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the method
• Define what 'god trick' and 'situated knowledge' mean
• Critique the notion that images themselves can tell the whole truth
• Apply the idea that all data is created and the researcher plays a role in creating it