Understanding comics-based ethnographies and ethno-graphic novels in qualitative research: An introduction

In recent years, there has been a growing debate in the social sciences about the use of «alternative scripts» such as comics and graphic novels. This introduction to the special issue considers the use of comics in ethnographic research and the contributions and challenges posed by this method. It discusses the evolution of comicsbased research methods and situates them within the broader context of the social sciences, reflecting on how comics can be used at different stages of the research process, including data collection, analysis and dissemination. The introduction also reflects on the advantages and limitations of comics compared to other established visual methodologies, focusing on the practical and ethical challenges of comics in ethnography and highlighting areas where comics offer unique opportunities.