Visual analysis of information world maps: An exploration of four methods

Abstract

Information researchers increasingly use participatory, arts-based methods to better understand the social contexts of individuals and populations. However, it remains rare to engage in qualitative analysis of the resulting visual artefacts. This article explores approaches to analysing visual media generated through a specific arts-based method, information world mapping (IWM), an interdisciplinary draw-and-talk technique that elicits data about individuals’ social information worlds. Here, we test four approaches to analysing visual media generated through IWM: directed qualitative content analysis (QCA), compositional interpretation, conceptual analysis and visual discourse analysis using situational analysis (SA). QCA was effective in creating an overview of participants’ information practices, yet raised concern regarding interpretive bias. Using an inductive taxonomy for compositional interpretation, we identified genre conventions for IWMs. Conceptual analysis resulted primarily in a reflection of the research procedures and epistemology. SA, while time-consuming, generated a large amount of rich data, including discourses and power relations that were not identified in previous analysis of textual data. In a reversal of our previous stance that cautioned against IWM analysis, we encourage other researchers to consider integrated or secondary visual analysis of IWMs.

Discursive power and resistance in the information world maps of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual community leaders

“…Situational analysis (Clarke, 2005) illuminated the discursive power underlying these themes. Like Greyson et al (2019), we found it valuable first to analyze interview transcripts to have an underlying context for interpreting the maps.…”

How do students' information world maps change while developing their thesis topics? A longitudinal study using arts‐based elicitation interviews

“…Situational analysis and qualitative content analysis were used to examine the data as suggested by D. Greyson et al () for analyzing IWM data. The unit of analysis is individual participants.…”

Qualitative Analysis of Visual Data in Information Behavior Research

“…drawings or timelines, which use images "to drive interview discussion" (Hicks & Lloyd, 2018, 231), "to represent mental models" or "to solicit people's conceptualization" (Zhang, 2008(Zhang, , 1331; -the information horizon interview (Sonnenwald et al, 2001) -"the first and currently best-established visual method for the study of information behaviour" (Hartel, 2017); -photo-elicitation methods, e.g. the photo-diaries and photovoice (Hartel & Tomson, 2011;Hicks & Lloyd, 2018); -IWM -the information world mapping (Greyson et al, 2019); -and even the information mapping board game (Le Louvier & Innocenti, 2019). Imagery may be analyzed by various qualitative techniques: compositional interpretation, conceptual analysis, grounded theory approach, pictorial metaphor analysis, thematic analysis, and visual discourse analysis -situational analysis (Greyson et al, 2019;Hartel, 2014b;Hartel & Savolainen, 2016;Hicks, 2018).…”

“…the photo-diaries and photovoice (Hartel & Tomson, 2011;Hicks & Lloyd, 2018); -IWM -the information world mapping (Greyson et al, 2019); -and even the information mapping board game (Le Louvier & Innocenti, 2019). Imagery may be analyzed by various qualitative techniques: compositional interpretation, conceptual analysis, grounded theory approach, pictorial metaphor analysis, thematic analysis, and visual discourse analysis -situational analysis (Greyson et al, 2019;Hartel, 2014b;Hartel & Savolainen, 2016;Hicks, 2018).…”