Visual Research: A Concise Introduction to Thinking Visually

Visual Research: A Concise Introduction to Thinking Visually is the first text to present a concise overview of the significant ethical, theoretical, and practical considerations for conducting research with images.

The capacity to take photos and video on handheld devices and the ability to store, post, and share such imagery online all offer tremendous opportunities for social research. The rapid development and popularity of such technology means that little technological proficiency is required, and even less theoretical and ethical consideration. This book provides an accessible introduction to doing visual research in the social sciences.

Beginning with ethical considerations, this book highlights the importance of thinking visually before engaging in visual research. Further themes involve creating, organizing, and using images and are presented so as to help readers think about and work with their own visual data. Boxed case studies and further reading suggestions enhance the utility of this primer.

Concise and highly focused, Visual Research will be an invaluable resource for visual, media, and communications students and researchers and others interested in visual research in the social sciences.

Jonathan S. Marion is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas and President-elect of the Society for Visual Anthropology (SVA).

Jerome W. Crowder is Assistant Professor at the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch, USA, and a Board member of the SVA.