Visual Research, Digital Archives, and Focus Groups

This article considers the advantages of visual research, digital archives, and the employment of focus groups as qualitative methods for studying Buddhism in contemporary Thailand. In reflecting on my experience using these methods, I encourage other scholars to consider innovative fieldwork possibilities for similar types of research. First narrating my original research design, I examine the ways I adjusted to the realities and limitations I faced in the field. I conclude with my observations from this experience of fieldwork, which asks focus group participants to share their opinions about the current state of Thai Buddhism through viewing visual images from Thai social media and news outlets. The participants in this fieldwork are, for the most part, lay Buddhists who are part of urban and rural temple communities. This article also considers the nature of these participants, and their reactions to visual research methods.