Visual Ethnography as a Research Methodology

Abstract

The chapter presents a rationale for using visual ethnography as part of the methodology in qualitative research and illustrates what visual ethnography methodology is capable of accomplishing when imagery is included in the investigative process. Visual ethnography offers a venue for collecting and analyzing data that would otherwise be inaccessible and positions imagery as an important, rather than a minimal or occasional, choice for use in qualitative research. Topics include contemporary definitions of visual ethnography and its value in qualitative research, historical applications of visual ethnographic theory that influence the way researchers view visual ethnography today, and contemporary uses of visual ethnography in data collection and analysis. Finally, the conclusion explores the future of visual ethnography.

Energizing dissensus: Socio-technical (counter) imaginaries along the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor

“…This analysis stems from ethnographic fieldwork in the towns of Mithi and Islamkot (Tharparkar district) between March-May 2022 as part of a 12-month multi-sited ethnographic research on BRI-CPEC initiatives in Pakistan. We used walking and visual ethnography as methodological tools in this analysis (Kaye, 2022;Kusenbach, 2003;Pierce and Lawhon, 2015;Pink, 2013;Springgay and Truman, 2017). We paid attention to signboards, hoardings, wall murals/street drawings and graffiti inscriptions in Mithi, Islamkot, and their outskirts believing that the public signage reflects socio-cultural and political practices by the actors related with this mega-program.…”