Visualization use in qualitative research reports: Evolving media types and competing epistemologies

TL;DR

This study investigates how visual media are used in qualitative research reports, revealing increased diversity in figure types and their independence from epistemological stances, highlighting opportunities for better visualization integration.

Contribution

It extends previous research by analyzing recent qualitative studies, showing evolving media use and providing a foundation for improved visualization practices.

Findings

Visual media remain largely absent in reports.

Figure types have become more diverse.

Use of figure types is likely independent of epistemological stance.

Abstract

Little is known about the representations used in qualitative research studies and why. A data-driven literature review was employed to explore the use of media in qualitative research reporting. A study by Verdinelli & Scagnoli (2013) was replicated and extended by conducting a content analysis of papers and figures published across three qualitative methods journals between 2020 and 2022. Figures were categorized by types (e.g., matrix-based, Venn diagrams, flowcharts) and documents were grouped by their epistemological stances (i.e., objectivist, subjectivist, or constructivist) before conducting a correspondence analysis and epistemic network analysis. Our findings suggest that (1) visual media have remained largely absent, (2) figure types have be come more diverse and (3) the use of figure types is likely independent of epistemological stance but provide opportunities for further exploration. These findings provide a foundation for impactful integration of data visualization tools to enhance communicati ve power of findings across disciplines.