Visual methods and quality in information behaviour research: the cases of photovoice and mental mapping

Introduction: The purpose of the paper is to explore the ways in which visual methods can increase the quality of qualitative information behaviour research.

Methods: The paper examines Tracy’s framework of eight criteria for research quality: worthy topic, rich rigour, sincerity, credibility, resonance, significant contribution, ethical issues and meaningful coherence. It explores photovoice and mental mapping as examples of visual research methods, to consider how far they have the potential to increase research quality against these criteria.

Analysis: The data for this conceptual paper were the authors’ own experience of the methods and other published studies using them, in the context of an understanding of major trends in the field of information behaviour.

Results: Visual methods have great potential in qualitative information behaviour research to produce studies with the qualities of credibility and resonance, as discussed by Tracy. There may be more issues to overcome in achieving rigour, sincerity, ethics and coherence. Worthiness of the research or significance of the contribution do not seem to be so clearly linked to use of these methods as such.

Conclusions: As an approach to producing high quality research of affective aspects and everyday information behaviour, particularly in those cases where participants are potentially marginalised or disadvantaged, visual methods seem promising approaches.