Images and the Research Process

Abstract

Images can prompt inquiry and discovery and help students move from their concrete personal experiences into the more abstract area of library research. A deeper and richer understanding of visual content empowers students to think about ways to use images as part of their everyday iterative research processes. Teaching image research and evaluation alongside traditional bibliographic tools is a natural fit. Research shows that college students are already looking for images and text at the same time: in their information-seeking behavior, students don’t separate searching for sources by type. Incorporating visual literacy as part of the research process can give students the tools to move through multiple sources and content types. Working with images throughout the research process readies students to find and use information in all formats, while developing critical thinking and evaluation proficiency.