the iSquare protocol
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A version of the draw-and-write technique called the iSquare protocol, generated the existing corpus of iSquares. The protocol was refined over many implementations and is informed by the methodological literature on the draw-and-write technique, specifically an awareness of the ideal constraints to apply during data-gathering.
We encourage other visual researchers to adopt this protocol in their draw-and-write studies of information (or other concepts). Using the protocol establishes social scientific reliability, that is, consistency across different implementations of the research design. Widespread use of the same approach will enable a more rapid accumulation of insights about the visual dimension of information and support collaboration. The main elements of the protocol, listed below, pertain to ethics; setting and timing; instructional script; paper; iSquare size; front and back sides; drawing instrument; and (optional) incentives. The protocol concerns data collection only and leaves researchers free to analyze the iSquares as they wish. |
Summaries of the iSquare Protocol are available in these papers:
Hartel, J., Noone, R., Oh, C., Power, S., Danzanov, S. & Kelly, B. (2018). The iSquare protocol: Combining research, art, and pedagogy through the draw-and-write technique. Qualitative Research, 18(4), 433-450. [PDF]
Hartel, J. (2014). An Arts-informed study of information using the draw-and-write technique. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 65(7), 1349-1367. [PDF]
ethics (ethical protocol)
As research involving human subjects, the iSquare protocol requires permission from an Institutional Review Board under the direction of an Office of Research Ethics. In the iSquare protocol care is taken with consent (verbal), right to withdraw, and confidentiality through the construction of data with no personal identifiers.
setting and timing
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The iSquare protocol entails a carefully controlled, 10-minute data-gathering outing in which research participants are all given oral instructions by the researcher(s) and then the activity is supervised until completion. This creates a stable environment that induces reflection and creativity. It is imperative that all participants have a chair and desk (or table) to use and distractions should be eliminated if possible. Ideally, the data-gathering occurs when the attention of research subjects is freshest, such as the start of a class. Another important feature is that the activity is not described to participants in advance, so that responses are uniformly spontaneous. The entire data-collecting session takes less than 10-minutes, that includes a 2-minute introduction, 3-5 minutes to do the drawing and writing exercise, and 1 minute to "wrap up" (collect pens and iSquares). To obtain permission to work with a group, we recommend an email solicitation, as shown at right (this recruitment message assumes the target population is a class of students and the email is sent to the instructor).
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Dear [Professor/Instructor X],
We are writing to learn if you would allow innovative, arts-informed, visual research to be conducted in your class this semester. As a part of an ongoing study about the nature of "information" we are asking [people/students] to draw their conception of information on a 4” by 4” piece of paper, coined an iSquare. Our research objective is to better understand visualizations of information and we are hopeful you will help us to understand the perspective from [their community]. A team of 2-3 researchers will supervise the 15-minute activity and provide the necessary materials. We have already collected many iSquares and can attest that most people find the drawing exercise to be fun and thought-provoking. As thanks, we will supply a healthy snack to every person that submits a drawing [optional]. The session can occur at any time during your class, with our preference being for the start of a session. Since we are eager to get underway, may we suggest a visit on [x]? We will also follow up with you by email in the next week. Sincerely, [Researcher(s)] |
instructional script
Data-gathering is performed by a team of 1-2 researchers who visit a group and say:
"Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone! To start, we’d like to thank [x] for agreeing to let us be here today. We are [researchers introduce themselves]. During the next 10 minutes we will gather data for a research project. We are trying to better understand the nature of information through a simple drawing exercise involving a 4.25” by 4.25” inch piece of paper and a black pen. Essentially, we want you to answer the question “What is information?” in the form of a drawing; and also complete the sentence “Information is…” on the back side of the same piece of paper. Our intent is to analyze the drawings and sentences to determine common understandings of information. To begin, we need your consent and participation. Please note that the exercise is unrelated to your class; it is not an assignment and is not mandatory. If you do not wish to participate, you may instead fill this time as you choose, but please do not disturb other participants. Also, no personally identifiable information will be collected that links you to the study. Put another way, you will remain an anonymous contributor to this research. You might find that the activity stimulates your imagination and is fun. We are distributing the paper and pens right now, and we ask that you use our materials only, please. In other words, please don't use any other pens or paper. First, on the blank side of the square respond to the question, "What is information?" in the form of a drawing. Then, on the reverse side, complete the statement “Information is...” Please also answer the demographic questions that are on the back of the square. You will have 7 minutes to complete the activity, until [state time]. Are there any questions?"
"Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone! To start, we’d like to thank [x] for agreeing to let us be here today. We are [researchers introduce themselves]. During the next 10 minutes we will gather data for a research project. We are trying to better understand the nature of information through a simple drawing exercise involving a 4.25” by 4.25” inch piece of paper and a black pen. Essentially, we want you to answer the question “What is information?” in the form of a drawing; and also complete the sentence “Information is…” on the back side of the same piece of paper. Our intent is to analyze the drawings and sentences to determine common understandings of information. To begin, we need your consent and participation. Please note that the exercise is unrelated to your class; it is not an assignment and is not mandatory. If you do not wish to participate, you may instead fill this time as you choose, but please do not disturb other participants. Also, no personally identifiable information will be collected that links you to the study. Put another way, you will remain an anonymous contributor to this research. You might find that the activity stimulates your imagination and is fun. We are distributing the paper and pens right now, and we ask that you use our materials only, please. In other words, please don't use any other pens or paper. First, on the blank side of the square respond to the question, "What is information?" in the form of a drawing. Then, on the reverse side, complete the statement “Information is...” Please also answer the demographic questions that are on the back of the square. You will have 7 minutes to complete the activity, until [state time]. Are there any questions?"
paper (And PDF/Word Template)
Researchers will need an abundant supply of blank iSquares. White or light-colored art paper or card stock are ideal materials. The substantial and luxurious surface sets a more inviting and serious tone for the activity. Drawing paper does a better job than card stock of absorbing black ink quickly (to avoid smudges) but either work well. The paper should be heavy enough that markings do not bleed to the other side, yet it can still pass through a laser printer or photocopier. The stiffness that accompanies a heavy weight also contributes to easy sorting and handling. To produce blank iSquares for either research or pedagogy, the iSquare template (available as a PDF or Word template) printed or photocopied onto drawing paper or card stock; then each sheet is sliced along the two light grey lines with a paper cutter. The drawing surface is sized for the most economical use of 8.5" by 11" paper, which generates four iSquares and one small piece of scrap.
To learn more about material instruments of the draw-and-write technique, see:
Hartel, J., Phutane, M., Posa, S., Shi, Z., Xu, A., & Bradshaw, S. (2020). Somewhere over the rainbow: The use of color in the draw-and-write technique. Visual Methodologies. . [PDF]
iSquare size (4.25" by 4.25" square)
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Why are the iSquares 4.25" by 4.25"? As just mentioned above, these dimensions enable the most economical use of a single sheet of paper to form four blank iSquares. Also, the relatively small surface area suits a 10-minute drawing activity; a larger piece of paper would require more time from research participants, which can be difficult to obtain. What is more, the resulting data set is portable and easy to manipulate; it resembles a deck of cards. One can spread up to 150 iSquares across a table to discuss with a class or analyze with a research team; it would be impossible to gaze across an equal number of pictures of larger dimensions. The same economies carry over to data-management tasks such as scanning, which would be more labor intensive for larger drawings. One scholar asked, "Why not iCircles instead?" This is an interesting idea conceptually and aesthetically but is not easy to implement; it is time consuming to cut out circles!
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front (drawing) and back (writing ) sides
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The draw-and-write technique entails a drawing activity along with a writing exercise. For the drawing activity, research subjects are asked to answer the question "What is information?" in the form of a drawing on the front side of the paper. Then, they are asked to "Say a few words about their drawing" on the back side of the paper. To maintain confidentiality in the data, no personally identifying information is collected about participants.
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drawing instrument (black roller ball or gel pen)
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Hartel, J., Phutane, M., Posa, S., Shi, Z., Xu, A., & Bradshaw, S. (2020). Somewhere over the rainbow: The use of color in the draw-and-write technique. Visual Methodologies. . [PDF]
incentive
The iSquare protocol can be implemented with or without a modest incentive for research participants (e. g. a granola bar). To date, we have collected iSquares both ways and participation rates and experience seemed to be the same.
data management
To learn more about the data management process, see:
Hartel, J., Noone, R., Oh, C., Power, S., Danzanov, S. & Kelly, B. (2018). The iSquare protocol: Combining research, art, and pedagogy through the draw-and-write technique. Qualitative Research, 18(4), 433-450. [PDF]
data analysis
To learn more about the data analysis process, see:
Hartel, J., and Nguyen, A. T. (2018). iSquare dancing: Visual analysis in the classroom and beyond. Education for Information, 34(1), 21-37. [PDF]
Hartel, J. (2017). Adventures in visual analysis. The Visual Methodologies Journal (Special Issue: Fourth International Visual Methods Conference), 5(1), 80-91. [PDF]