Visual Grounded Theory

1. Visual Grounded Theory Qualitative Transitions: Issues of Methodology in Central and South-East European Sociologies; University of Rijeka, Croatian Sociological Association

2. Introduction What is Visual Grounded Theory? What is the status of data? Reconstruction of �multislice imaging� How to do VGT? -> Generating categories on visualization processes Selective coding Comparative analysis of images Theoretical sampling of places, views �methods of creation of images� and �contexts of their production�. Theoretical saturation Future prospects

3. What is VGT? The visual grounded theory is a methodology that uses the visual data to construct categories, properties and integrated theoretical statements on actions and visual phenomena that are usually manifested as processes. One of visual phenomena are visual processes as visualization of �. some activities�. (visual processes)

4. Visual processes  Visual grounded theory is concerned with visual processes such as visualizing of something: visualization of homelessness, visualization of identity, individualizing of body, visual gentrification, visualization of sport practice, visualization of scientific achievements, stylization of the body, visual persuasion, �construction of discipline gazing�, visualization of intellectual disability, etc.

5. Status of data in GT Data are objective and external to a researcher (Glaser, 1992) For Charmaz the data are constructed, they are dependant on the activities of the researchers in a context of research, and also the data are dependant upon theoretical perspective of the researchers and their knowledge (Charmaz, 2006; Puddephatt, 2006).

6. Visual Data in GT Visual data ignored in GTM Some excellent exceptions: Charles Suchar (1997), Adele Clarke (2005), Cornelius Schubert (2006) Suchar � shooting scripts and sensitizing the concepts Adele Clarke: � a/ deciding, locating, collecting and tracking the materials best suited to the researched situation b/ analysis -> locating memo, big picture memo, specification memo (deconstruction) c/ Mapping - situational maps - many implicated actors, actants, institutions; social worlds maps and arenas; positional maps (positions in discourse).

7. Visual Data in GT She makes research on anatomy atlases (images of men and women) and treats anatomy as discipline in Foucault sense, i.e. as the way of disciplining of seeing and gazing. It is rather situational analysis than GT. Cornelius Schubert (2006) analysed video recordings of anaesthetic work during the surgical operations using the grounded theory approach -> theoretical sampling, saturation, slice of data. The approach of Schubert is more video � ethnographic with the selective use of GT procedures instead of grounded theory approach per se.

9. Status of visual data in Visual Grounded Theory There is no ready and finished data that are objective and independent from our way of seeing (our socialization, perception matrix) Not all is data! Data are also given not only constructed!!!

10. Reconstruction of �multislice imaging�.  �In theoretical sampling, no one kind of data on a category nor technique for data collection is necessarily appropriate. Different kinds of data give the analyst different views or vantage points from which to understand a category and to develop its properties; these different views we have called slices of data.� (Glaser, Strauss, 1967). Multislice imaging, in our approach, is a different thing. We have here inner levels of the slice of data. �Multislice imaging� has an assumption that visual data could have many layers that should be meticulously analyzed to fully conceptualize visual processes.

11. Reconstruction of �multislice imaging�.  1. An act of creating pictures (analysis of context of creation); 2. Acting in the showing of visual images; 3. The visual product of itself, its content and stylistic structure (that can mean many things to the different recipients that are active co-creators of visual images); 4. Reception of the picture and visual aspects of presenting/representing something. These are slices of the visual dimension of the psycho - social processes.

13. How to do Visual Grounded Theory

14. Generating categories Open coding -> We code the four slices of data to get the deeper understanding of the contexts and actions/interactions, image/visual artefacts displays and content of visual artefacts.

15. Generating categories � example of visualization of yoga practice Photo 1. Private visualization of yoga practise (property of category). Hatha - yoga practice at home. The woman on the photo preferred to show a pose than explain it. It is The Warrior Pose I (photo from the author research project). The lines on the pictures help in exact description of the pictures and in localization of objects in the pictures. Moreover, it helps to evaluate/code the technical aspects of photography (focusing, etc).

16. Generating categories

18. Creating categories Later we write the memos on four levels of data.

19. Selective coding If we decide on the category, e.g. �visualization of yoga � practice� we try to reconstruct how the action of �the yoga practice is visually organized�. Visual organization of the activity means: process of construction of phenomenon with coordination work, and perception/interpretation of constructed action, different indispensable aspects of creation, reception, and maintaining of phenomenon. The activity is very often visually maintained.

20. Selective coding So we look for the basic visual processes at a substantive area.

21. Comparative analysis of images Visual grounded theory is based mainly on the comparative method. A very important tool is to use pictures and sequencing of pictures, which give a comparative insight into empirical data. Comparative � theoretical memos.

23. Theoretical sampling The theoretical sampling is an iterative process of analysis and data gathering (Str�bing, 2004). If we research, e.g., the process of visualization of homelessness and analyse the subcategory of the process, visualisation of physical conditions of homeless life world, we look for the places/spaces and contexts that help us to saturate the category and theoretically elaborate it. The theoretical question are: How the space is socially organized? And more questions follow from this theoretical one: how the space is organized outside of shelter, in different contexts? What kind of social actors organize it? What are relations between them? How the public space is organized for visual purposes?

24. Theoretical sampling Theoretical sampling for the visual processes means also looking for the �methods of taking pictures� and �contexts of their production� and also reception (so necessary is the multislice imaging). We are interested here in the first, second, third and fourth inner - slices of imaging. The sampling gives the base for putting the general statements.

25. Theoretical saturation Saturating the categories we, at the same time, do theoretical sampling and formulate hypotheses that become the core of a visual grounded theory.

26. Diagram 1. Visualization of yoga practice. Saturation of category. 

27. Future prospects The necessity of development of VGT is connected with �the visual turn� that occurred in our time life (PP presentations, photo/video blogs, video/photo family albums, mobile phones with cameras, etc.) Moreover, visual grounded theory gives the possibility to analyse unspeakable and indescribable phenomena and move beyond �spoken language � centred data� (body moves/experience, visual discourses, etc.).

28. Thank you so much