Qualitative methods III: animating archives, artful interventions and online environments

• Published in: Progress in human geography Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 88 - 97
• Main Authors: Dwyer, Claire, Davies, Gail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2010; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Archival research; Archives; Archives & records; Certainty; Collaboration; Cooperation; Exhibitions; Geodemographics; Geographers; Geography; Human geography; Internet; Intervention; Organization of research; Participation; Photography; Qualitative analysis; Qualitative research; Research methodology; Research subjects; Uncertainty; Videotape Recordings; participation; online; art; archive; qualitative; collaboration
• ISSN: 0309-1325; 1477-0288
• DOI: 10.1177/0309132508105005

In this report we review recent work in geography which engages with innovative qualitative methods, focusing on three selected arenas: the archive, artistic collaborations and online engagements. Qualitative archival research illustrates the tensions around assembling accounts and incorporating uncertainty as geographers strive to animate the archives. Collaborative artistic endeavours, whether through participatory video, artistic installations or co-curating exhibitions, open new arenas for geographers to engage research subjects as well as possibilities for unfolding uncertainty into research practice. An exploration of the use of online environments for research also presents new ways to develop research collaboration and participation. Geographical experiments raise questions both about ethical frameworks for online research and about the ways in which power hierarchies may, or may not, be challenged.