The use of visual methodology in nursing.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the use of visual methodology in nursing.


BACKGROUND
Interest in the use of visual methodologies is increasing and its use can be adopted in healthcare research.


METHODS
Commentary on a study that used drawings to explore stress-busting behaviours in nursing students.


METHODS
Drawing from the literature and practical experience, the paper explores the traditions of visual research and aspects such as terminology, analysis, ethical issues, the advantages and disadvantages of the methodology, and the implications of using visual methodology.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual methodology revealed information that perhaps would not be elicited by interviews or questionnaires. Dialogue should take place, along with images, to ensure correct interpretation.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital technology enables the use of visual methodology, which is new in health care and can offer many opportunities to researchers.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual research methodologies have the potential to expand in nursing research because of their range of data collection and analytical frameworks and because of the possibility of working with the participant.
Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester, Chester, UK. j.woodhouse@chester.ac.uk
Jan
J
Woodhouse
D009729:Nursing; D009626:Terminology as Topic