An Introduction to Using Video for Research

This working paper provides an introduction to the use of video for research. It maps the scope and use of video for research and demonstrates that video is a significant resource for many contemporary social researchers across a range of fields. The different uses of video are mapped including its use in participatory research, videography, video interviews, the analysis of existing videos, and video based fieldwork. The key qualities and features of video as a research tool and video data are outlined and described in relation to the different potentials and constraints of video for social research. The many considerations that video raises for social researchers are discussed, including what is the status of video data, when does video become data, to what extent do video recordings reflect, distort or remediate social events? The paper provides an introduction to the theoretical and practical issues and decisions involved in setting up a video based study including the choice of camera, camera position and use, processes of logging, sampling, coding and transcribing video data. It provides some exercises in relation to video data collection, as well as a list of suggested further readings and an extensive bibliography.