Visual data in applied qualitative research: lessons from experience

An innovative research project which sought to use the outputs of a community development arts project as a source of visual data for the evaluation of an area-based health initiative is discussed.

Abstract

Image-based research is well developed within visual anthropology and visual ethnography, but it is little used outside of these disciplines. This article discusses an innovative research project which sought to use the outputs of a community development arts project as a source of visual data for the evaluation of an area-based health initiative. The use of such material in applied research required the development of a method unique to the project, and the aims, process and outcomes are discussed. In particular, the article details the difficulties encountered and the attempts made to overcome such challenges. It ends by suggesting there is scope for the development and application of the method, if it is developed within key guiding principles.