This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wagner, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Constructing Credible Images

Documentary Studies, Social Research, and Visual Studies

University of California, Davis

Documentary photographers and visual social researchers both rely on visual, real-world data but differ in how they address three key challenges: creating empirically credible images of culture and social life, framing empirical observations to highlight new knowledge, and challenging existing social theory. A close look at these shared challenges and contrasting conventions recommends exemplary documentary studies as an empirically viable alternative to traditional social research. Three recent projects illustrate the value of such alternatives to informing public discourse. They also embody strategies that could enhance the value of empirical, visual inquiry to education and other community-based fields of practice.

Key Words: documentary • visual • research • photography • sociology

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?