Hidden Transcripts on Public Transportation: A Meta-Methodological Exploration of Visual Ethnography in Qualitative Transportation Research

Abstract: Better understanding of urban travelers is necessary, as sustainable development is becoming an integral part of transportation policy and practice. A volume of research shows people’s expressed willingness to adopt more sustainable urban travel behaviours, but a general sense of resistance to change is often encountered. Current methods in transportation research are not able to fully grasp on individual motivations such as discontent with public transport. This gap of knowledge in qualitative transportation research calls for the development of new methods. James Scott’s concept of the hidden transcript allows for the assumption that there are expressions of dissatisfaction towards public transportation at grassroots level. In order to access hidden transcripts on public transportation in Stockholm there is a need for a new method, which is developed in this thesis. The proposed visual mixed method draws from principles of visual ethnography, virtual ethnography, nethnography and social media research. The methodology is then tested and assessed as a platform to give voice to hidden transcripts on public transportation. The choice of method for developing the method is meta-methodology. The discussion sheds light on the potential of the framework (1) to grant access to hidden transcripts; (2) to fill a knowledge gap in transportation qualitative research; (3) to assist planners towards sustainable development of urban transportation.