Visual Methods Reflection

Visual methods, which include techniques such as photography, video recording, and drawing, have
become powerful tools in qualitative research within the eld of psychology. Initially used as
supplementary aids, visual methods have evolved into essential components of research
methodologies, offering unique ways of exploring human experiences and phenomena. Visual
narrative inquiry, a variant of narrative inquiry, is a qualitative methodology that utilises storytelling
to investigate people's experiences. In this method, narratives serve as both a data collection tool
and the data itself (Mattern et al., 2015). In visual narrative inquiry research, participants visually
convey their experiences, with photographs being the most popular method (Bach, 2008). Another
study discovered that employing visual narrative inquiry was useful for discussing participants'
research data practices and encouraging them to think about data-related dif culties (Mattern et al.,
2015). Over the years, there has been a signi cant increase in the use of visual methods in research.
However, this method has been in existence since the late 1800s and early 1900s when
anthropologists like Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson used photography and lm to study
cultural practices and social interactions. This marked the beginning of the integration of visual
techniques into qualitative inquiry. These early efforts showed the potential of visual methods to
capture the complexities of human behavior and culture, which challenged the traditional idea that
research should only rely on written or spoken data. As technology continued to improve,
researchers began using visual media in more innovative ways to gain a deeper understanding of
human experiences. In the 1970s, Howard S. Becker developed photo-elicitation techniques, which
involved using photographs to prompt participants to share their experiences and perspectives. This
approach enabled researchers to explore sensitive topics and complex issues that would have been
dif cult to capture through traditional research methods.

Moreover, the use of visual methods has become increasingly popular in research due to its
interdisciplinary nature. It draws inspiration from various elds such as art history, sociology, and
cultural studies. Visual methods provide transparency and re exivity in the research process.
Researchers can critically examine their perspectives and biases about the data, which enhances the
research quality. Incorporating visual elements into research helps navigate complex ethical
considerations and power dynamics inherent in qualitative research, promoting equitable and
inclusive research practices. (Rose, 2016). Visual methods have been gaining recognition for their
bene ts in qualitative research. However, some critics argue that these methods may introduce
subjectivity and interpretation biases, challenging the objectivity and rigour that are traditionally
associated with quantitative research methodologies (Mitchell, 2011). Despite these concerns,
advocates of visual methods argue that subjectivity is inherent in all research processes and that the
interpretive nature of visual methods offers unique insights. Additionally, visual methods have the
potential to democratise research by empowering participants to actively contribute to the process,
which outweighs concerns regarding objectivity (Pink, 2007). Despite debates on the validity and
reliability of visual methods, their transformative potential in qualitative research cannot be denied.
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 Figure 1.
Students engaging in discussion together

Throughout my life, I have been intrigued by the intricacies of human behaviour and the underlying
factors that drive it. I have always been interested in the ways that motivations and emotions
interact to in uence people's choices and behaviours. This curiosity, along with my natural empathy
and eagerness to assist others, ultimately led me to pursue a career in psychology. As a psychology
student, I have had the chance to learn about a variety of subjects pertaining to human behaviour. I
have researched the intricacies of the human brain and how it shapes our emotions, ideas, and
behaviour. I have also studied how our behaviour is shaped by social and cultural elements, which
also in uence our attitudes and beliefs. Additionally, I have also been particularly interested in how
psychological insights might assist people overcome obstacles. I believe psychology has the
potential to make a signi cant difference in people's lives. In addition to my deep interest in
psychology, I became increasingly drawn to the topic of aviation psychology. The ability to apply
psychological theories and concepts to real-world circumstances, particularly improving the travel
experience for air passengers, piqued my interest and motivation. The prospect of understanding
psychology's multiple aspects, particularly its practical applications in aviation, strengthened my
commitment to studying this complex eld.

During the course of my academic pursuits, I experienced an overload of emotions. The feeling of
excitement mixed with occasional uncertainty. The subject matter consistently intrigued me, but
there were moments when certain concepts seemed daunting. Regardless of this, I persevered and
sought guidance from my professors and peers, who provided valuable insights and helped me
grasp dif cult topics. One key aspect that helped me overcome academic challenges was engaging
in discussions with my classmates. These discussions allowed me to approach topics from different
perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, it fostered a sense
of community within the eld, which I found to be bene cial as I progressed through my academic
journey. Despite facing numerous challenges, my passion for psychology continued to grow. I found
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 myself more and more fascinated by our cognitive processes. I gained a profound appreciation for
the intricacies of human behaviour, and my admiration for the eld grew stronger. I was amazed by
the resilience of the human psyche and how we can overcome adversity. Each new insight deepened
my appreciation for the eld, fortifying my belief that psychology is not just a subject of study, but
a journey of exploration and understanding. I came to realize that understanding human behaviour
involves more than just guring out what makes us tick, it also involves developing greater
empathy, compassion, and understanding for other people. Psychology has taught me to be more
aware of my thoughts and actions, leading me to become a better version of myself. I believe that
the knowledge gained from studying psychology is not only useful for personal growth but also for
making a positive difference in the world.

Figure 2.
Challenges of a university student

Let's shift to my re ection on how my journey being a psychology student has evolved and
progressed. During my experience in Level 4, I was surprised to discover the interdisciplinary
nature of the eld of psychology. This became evident during a collaborative project where I
worked alongside peers from diverse disciplines such as dental, nutrition, biomedicine, and
environmental sciences. Together, we tackled a patient case study aimed at enhancing overall health
outcomes. The dental students provided expertise on oral health and its impact on overall well-
being, while the nutrition students offered insights into dietary habits and their effects on health
outcomes. The biomedical students contributed knowledge about physiological processes and
potential medical interventions, and the environmental sciences students addressed environmental
factors in uencing health. It was a great opportunity to learn from and collaborate with individuals
from different elds. I was amazed to see how each eld of study contributed unique insights and
expertise, highlighting the interconnectedness and mutual dependence among different areas of
psychology and beyond.
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I have encountered several obstacles on my academic journey. Although the subject matter is
fascinating, some aspects of it have been particularly challenging. One of the most dif cult parts of
studying psychology has been understanding complex theories and concepts. For instance, modules
like critical social psychology and developmental psychology required extensive effort and
persistence to fully grasp. However, it was gratifying to put in the necessary hard work and nally
comprehend these concepts. Another challenge I faced was learning the complexities of different
types of referencing, which was initially quite daunting. It took me quite some time and practice to
learn referencing and integrate it seamlessly into my academic work. However, this was a vital skill
to learn, and I am glad I persevered. Recognizing areas where I needed improvement and putting in
extra effort has not only deepened my understanding of psychology but has also helped me develop
valuable skills that will serve me well in the future.

As I ponder upon my experiences while studying psychology, the journey has been an incredible
one, full of ups and downs, and each experience has contributed signi cantly to my evolution as a
student and aspiring psychologist. The more I learned, the more I was fascinated by how different
aspects of human behaviour were interconnected and shaped by various factors. I also discovered
that psychology was not just about theories but also about how one could apply those theories to
real-life situations. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, but I
reminded myself of why I started and pushed through. These challenges taught me the importance
of patience and resilience, which are crucial qualities that every psychologist must develop.
Through interdisciplinary collaborations, I learned how different elds could come together to solve
complex human problems. I also gained a deeper appreciation for diversity and how it shapes our
behaviour and perceptions. These experiences have profoundly impacted my personal growth. As I
progress further, I am eager to explore new horizons within the eld of psychology.
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Reference list

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Bach, H. (2008). “Visual Narrative Inquiry”, in Givens, L.M. (Ed.), The Sage Encyclopedia of
Qualitative Research Methods, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 939- 941.

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Mattern, E., Jeng, W., He, D., Lyon, L., & Brenner, A. (2015). Using participatory design and visual
narrative inquiry to investigate researchers’ data challenges and recommendations for
Library Research Data Services. Program: Electronic Library and Information Systems,
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Mitchell, C. (2011). Doing Visual Research (1st ed.). SAGE Publications. Retrieved from https://
(www.perlego.com/book/859887/doing-visual-research-pdf (Original work published 2011)

Pink, S. (2007). Doing visual ethnography images, media and representation in research. SAGE.

Rose, G. (2016). Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials

(4th ed.). Sage.