Visual reasoning: the role of abduction within qualitative research on interprofessional working

Whilst visual methods have increasing research use, visual reasoning has received less attention. Integration of health and social services require professionals to work with increasing coordination. Visual reasoning plays an important role in these complex skill sets and is under-theorized. This article focuses on visual reasoning within qualitative research in this professional context. Visual languages and the reasoning done with them often remain implicit, leading to confusion and underutilisation. Here, we investigate the use made of metaphoric and diagrammatic visuals by a purposive sampling of key stakeholders discussing collaboration across integrated children’s services. We analyse the function visual images played within our own interpretive negotiations as a research group and problematise why participants made extensive use of metaphoric reasoning, whilst remaining critical of the effectiveness of diagrammatic visuals. Our original contribution is to highlight the role of abduction in visual reasoning within research analysis and within professional reflection. (148 words)