Using Comic-Style Posters for Engaging Participants and for Promoting Researcher Reflexivity

Abstract

Visual methods, including drawn images such as comics, are receiving increasing attention in qualitative research. Indeed, comics are a highly accessible form of visual data, and through the intermingling of words and images they are well suited to convey the multidimensionality of real life. Drawing on a research project, I reflect on the potential of comic-style posters to engage participants in a workshop setting. The aim was to receive feedback on preliminary results, and the posters were very effective to fuel discussions, thus promoting social sense-making. Moreover, the process of designing the comic posters encouraged reflexivity within the research team. The work of visualizing results spurred discussions and surfaced implicit assumptions tied to methods for analyzing data and communicating results. These experiences indicate the creative potential of comic-style drawings for encouraging a more playful approach to discuss and share results of qualitative research with diverse audiences.