From eyes to notes: Designing and faciiltating qualitative field interviews with creative visual tools

Abstract

A number of visual tools have been developed for qualitative field research. Researchers aim to use these tools for various purposes in three stages of field research: data collection, data analysis, and data representation. However, field researchers often find it difficult to determine which existing visual tools to use, or how to create new tools for their own specific projects. Previously, many visual tools have been produced by researchers on their own, but these days more and more researchers work with visual communication designers to co-create visual tools for their projects. This thesis examines the use of creative visual tools in qualitative field research by outlining a theoretical framework and reviewing an in-depth case study of one field research project in Bihar, India. Furthermore, this thesis provides a thorough interdisciplinary design approach which can guide visual communication designers in the creation of visual tools for field research projects.