Going digital: using new technologies in visual sociology

This article describes how to conduct visual research by using new technologies. Many of us who use digital cameras realise that information and communication technology is changing not only the way we take images, but also the way we see, store, analyse and show them. I found that there are three main categories of programs that can be used by visual sociologists. These groups, which often overlap, are produced respectively for photographers, social scientists and computer users interested in knowledge management. The first type of software is called DAM (Digital Asset Management); it was developed mainly for use by photographers and its aim is to organise catalogues. DAM is a protocol for managing, presenting and distributing multimedia files. These tools facilitate the organisation of catalogues (visual databases of media) which contain references to original files and are used to handle archiving, grouping organisation, renaming, rating, cataloguing, information management, optimising, editing, presentation, playback, publishing, exporting and distribution of files. The second type of software is called CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis); it was produced for use by researchers and its aim is to code and analyse information. Once useful only for textual analysis, recent versions of CAQDAS now enable the investigation of multimedia data. I suggest that we add a third type of software known as the concept map; its aim is to display, compare and organise images and verbal concepts together. Concept mapping software is designed to help the user brainstorm, plan, organise, visualise, create and share graphic, diagrams and flowcharts. This review will draw upon my experiences to describe several types of software, the characteristics and techniques I found useful, as well as their methodological implications.