Using Graphic Recording and Graphical Frameworks as a Participatory Method to Facilitate Research on Complex Policy Analysis

Graphic recording is a method most often used to capture visual minutes of meetings or seminars. Illustration is a method most often used to disseminate research results. In this paper we present a unique experience of working with a graphic recorder in order to make sense of data through the data collection and analysis process. As part of a large participatory action research project aimed and critically analyzing policies that either create or prevent homelessness, iterative illustration allowed our team to make sense of a large volume of data, and interact with that data both within the research team and with research participants. This example of a unique methodological approach is useful for research teams who seek to engage participatorily with participants/co-researchers around a large volume of research data. Illustration does not have to be solely to present an image of research findings but can be vital to ‘unstick’ the analysis process. Ultimately, we propose a process by which illustration is participatory analysis rather than the more traditional conceptualization of illustration as output.