Introduction on critical visual methodology

Choosing a particular research method depends on all sorts of factors. This research paper examines the factors related to the basic analytical approach adopted in relation to visual images. The paper discusses some debates about the importance of the visual to contemporary Western societies. It offers a broad analytical framework for understanding how images become meaningful. The paper suggests some criteria for a critical approach to visual materials. It places different methodologies in that framework, to begin to suggest which methods might be best suited for which kinds of analysis. It offers some practical suggestions for referencing and reproducing images in your final work.

Slums of Chennai around the Buckingham Canal - with special reference to Govindaswamy Nagar

Buckingham Canal bank was an important water - way of old Madras. It has been facing slow death due to many reasons such as encroachments by various constructions like MRTS (The Mass Rapid Transit System is popularly called MRTS), and also the Urban poor, the slum dwellers. The slum dwellers face various problems like, flooding, insanitary conditions, health and socio-economic issues. One of the major issue is the eviction process. In this link, the Elango Street of Govindaswamy Nagar has been allotted by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board based on G.O.Ms.No 163 Housing (F) Department, Dated 28.02.1973. Elango Street escapes all the natural problems the other slums are facing, but it is expected to be evicted. This critical issue made the researcher to compare Elango Street of Govindaswamy Nagar with the other slums on the banks of Central Buckingham Canal.

Researching visually using visual ethnographic methodology

According to Sarah Pink (2001) defines the visual ethnographic as the use of visual images and technologies such as video, film, photography, art, drawing and sculpture in qualitative social research to both produce and represent knowledge. It includes using the visual as a documenting tool to produce visual records, in interviews, to elicit comments from informants, in participant observation to research ways of seeing and understanding, analysing visual and material culture and using visual media to represent the findings of such research. Visual ethnography deals with the visual and perceptual study of culture, material culture and forms of human behaviour in different communities and environments. Visually we can communicate knowledge and experience and ideas in ways that we never express in written words or spoken words, in social research, the visual is gaining significance as a research method.

The Impact of New Media on Women Rights, with particular referemce to India

In the recent past, advances in information and communication technology have resulted in unifying the world and these developments have impacted public policy, private attitudes and behaviour. The media can play a vital role in the empowerment of women. Though the number of women who work in the media has increased, very few women are in the top positions where they can take decisions or influence content and policy towards the portrayal of women's issues. Gender-based stereotyping still continues in all forms of media. The consumer-driven patterns of media reinforce women's traditional roles and inappropriately target women. The media also contribute to the creation of violent, negative and sexually exploitative content about women which leads to negatively impacting women's participation in society as equal partners to men with inherent dignity.

Impact of New Media on Children

New media has brought many changes to the individuals, family and the households in general. There are many advantages and disadvantages with regard to the New Media. It is impossible to reject and hide from this new form of media. It is not only important among the peer groups but also for sharing messages and information among families and social groups, hence it is an integral part of a larger community. Most social medias offer communication through Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, linkedIn, Watsapp, and yet other applications. It is further enhanced with usage of smartphones for exchange and sharing photographs, videos and other digital materials. It also provide easy communication through editing and sharing. Apart from this usage it has its own aggressive nature that capture the young children, who fall in to various kinds of violence. This paper is an attempt to capture the impact of New Media on children.