Annotated digital timelining: Interactive visual display for data analysis in mixed methods research

Abstract

Annotated timelining is an innovative method of graphic elicitation that involves selecting, organizing, and analyzing data in order to deepen understanding of participants’ experiences over time. Digital interactive timelines support visually rich displays of information (e.g., text, images, multimedia, hyperlinks) to convey meaning, which make them excellent platforms for achieving a variety of goals in mixed methods research (MMR). The purpose of this methodological article is to discuss the use of digital annotated timelining during data collection, analysis, and interpretation stages of MMR studies. The article provides examples of using annotated digital timelining in the context of education research.