Understanding Comics-Based Research: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists

Understanding Comics-Based Research explores how comics can be used in social research, offering opportunities for communication and eliciting participant narratives. Veronica Moretti illustrates how the graphic medium can help researchers overcome barriers and incorporate comics into traditional social research techniques.

Format: Hardback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 11 September 2023
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Understanding Comics-Based Research delves into the profound impact that comics can have on social research, as they are integral components of the Graphic Social Science framework. Comics and graphic novels provide a unique blend of text and images, creating a platform for engaging and interactive community-based participatory research. This insightful volume, authored by Veronica Moretti, showcases the remarkable ability of the graphic medium to elicit participant narratives and foster innovative research principles. It also explores the potential challenges researchers may face when incorporating comics into their studies and examines the extent to which comics can be seamlessly integrated into traditional social research methodologies.

Comics and graphic novels offer a rich tapestry of visual and textual elements, enabling researchers to explore complex social issues and engage with diverse communities in novel and impactful ways. By leveraging the power of comics, researchers can facilitate meaningful conversations, elicit personal experiences, and uncover hidden narratives that may otherwise remain untold. Moreover, the graphic medium provides a unique space for researchers to experiment with different storytelling techniques, visual representations, and narrative structures, allowing them to convey complex ideas and concepts in a visually compelling and accessible manner.

However, it is important to note that the integration of comics into social research is not without its challenges. One of the primary challenges lies in the perception and understanding of comics by researchers and the broader academic community. Comics are often viewed as a form of entertainment or a niche interest, which can lead to a lack of recognition and respect for their scholarly potential. Additionally, the technical aspects of creating and analyzing comics can be complex and require specialized knowledge and skills.

To overcome these challenges, researchers need to engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with comics creators, artists, and enthusiasts. By building partnerships and seeking expertise from within the comics community, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the medium's artistic and cultural significance, as well as its potential for social research. This collaboration can also help to bridge the gap between academia and the wider public, promoting greater awareness and appreciation of comics as a valuable tool for social inquiry.

In conclusion, Understanding Comics-Based Research provides a valuable contribution to the field of social research by highlighting the potential of comics to engage, inform, and inspire. By embracing the power of the graphic medium, researchers can unlock new avenues for research, facilitate meaningful conversations, and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society. As the field of comics continues to evolve and expand, it is exciting to imagine the endless possibilities for social research and the impact that comics can have on our understanding of the world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837534630