An analytical review of visual research method in environmental perception studies

Abstract

Among the huge numbers of techniques used in environmental perception studies, Visual Research Method (VRM) is mentioned as one of them to capture the perception of people. This paper analytically reviewed 67 studies on environmental perception and recognition where visual instruments were used in data collection stages. Studies were selected based on the time, key words and indicated fields of study through various research engines. Data was analyzed based on three important phases in these researches namely data collection, data documentation and data analysis with their parameters and techniques. Reliability and validity of this method was proved in these selected studies, and advantages and disadvantages of VRM were discussed. This study concluded that indeed there are several significant parameters and techniques those are frequently used as part of VRM in environmental perception researches. It also showed that VRM could be changed to more dynamic formats instead of previously used static formats by using advanced technological instruments