Abstract

Using Photographic Images in Educational Research: Authenticity and Ethical

Dilemmas

M Mahruf C Shohel and Gwadabe W Kurawa

Using images as part of research is a fast growing area with regard to both still and
moving images. In particular, in educational research photographs have been used to
stimulate discussion and debate in and outside of classrooms. Although, images have
been used in education only quite recently, but one of the challenges of working with
students and their photographs is to encourage them to move beyond simple
interpretations of what is depicted in their images, towards making every effort to
identify the authentic views and wishes of the children.

Researching children’s view requires not only making every effort to identify the
authentic views and wishes of the children about their current and future education,
but also more fundamental consideration of ethical issues-on power, stereotyping,
status, censure and repercussion (see, Thomas & O’Kane, 1998; Morrow & Richards,
1996). Making children to talk about their learning experiences is very difficult and
frustrating (Shohel and Howes, 2006). Traditional sit-down interview methods of
researching children’s views are invasive, confrontational and non-participatory to the
most possible extent, which increase the ethical problems of imbalanced relationship
between researcher and the researched. Marrow and Richards (1996) also argue, the
very presence of a researcher during interview influences the expressed views of
children.

This paper will present data derived from a PhD fieldwork in Bangladesh using
images as research tool alongside sit-down interview method. Using images as
research tool was regarded as something of a ‘found art’ (Wade & Moore, 1993).
According to them, the technique has potential contribution to a multiple-methods
approach, as they are also useful for helping children focus on research topic. This
paper will also discuss about the role of images for assisting students to make
connections from their past with their present experiences in school.