ETHICALLY REPRESENTING DRUG USE: PHOTOGRAPHS AND ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH WITH PEOPLE WHO USE METHAMPHETAMINE

Authors

Heith Copes, Department of Criminal Justice
Whitney Tchoula, Rutgers University—Newark
Jared Ragland, University of South Florida

Abstract

"The use of photographs in criminological research can be an important tool for both collecting data and illustrating findings. When used in published research, photographs can aid in viewers connecting with the subject matter and the participants. However, photographs can also reify and reinforce cultural stereotypes. We believe that the potential damage done by including photographs can be mitigated when the photographs are properly contextualized. Our aim here is to argue for the value of contextualized photographs in research with those who engage in crime or deviance. We illustrate how by including the stories of participants and ourselves we can complicate cultural narratives and act as counter-visuals for stigmatized images found in the media."

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Copes, Heith; Tchoula, Whitney; and Ragland, Jared (2019) "ETHICALLY REPRESENTING DRUG USE: PHOTOGRAPHS AND ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH WITH PEOPLE WHO USE METHAMPHETAMINE," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 8: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol8/iss1/2