Qualitative Research Based On Own Productions With Media. Experiences From The Eu Research Project Chicam - Children In Communication About Migration

Abstract

Visual methods are important in various areas of qualitative research. Above all, visual sociology and visual anthropology should be mentioned. Photography and video are used in participant observation in addition to field notes. Video is used to document interviews and group discussions. Pictures or film sequences are suitable for stimulating communication in the context of interviews ("photo-elicitation", cf. Prosser/Schwartz 1998, p. 123). Some interesting examples of this approach can be found in Pierre Bourdieu's work (Bourdieu 1987, p. 87). Another possibility is to make existing visual representations of subjects the object of analysis (e.g. children's drawings or graffiti paintings; cf. Neuß 1999; Holzwarth 2001). There are also interesting empirical values in the extensive field of ethnological film (Curtis, Flaherty, Mead, Rouch, among others), especially Rouch's dialogical approach (the camera as an integral part of the experience and cognition of social reality; cf. Friedrich 1984).