Michael S. Ball – författare

The book offers communication researchers some of the best recent work on qualitative inquiry in the human disciplines. . . . Published by Sage, the leading publisher of qualitative research in the social sciences today. . . . [The authors] present a germinal discussion of the limitations of the purely structural and classic content analysis approaches to the reading of visual texts (over-emphasis on manifest content, fragmentation, distortion of meaning). The contributions of cognitive anthropology, ethnomethodology, and poststructuralism to this field are reviewed. This is a valuable book. . . . This work brings the communication scholar up-to-date on where qualitative methods are in current sociological and educational discourse. --Norman K. Denzin in Journal of Communication "A strength of the book is Chapter 2, which shows how content analysis can be applied to visual data. The authors use two studies of fashion to clearly demonstrate the six basic steps of quantitative content analysis and then provide a valuable explanation of the technique's shortcomings." --Journalism Quarterly Visual methods have long been used in ethnography, but rarely examined as a method. In Analyzing Visual Data, Michael S. Ball and Gregory W. H. Smith provide a basic framework for using visual data--namely still photographs--as a tool for social analysis. They determine the importance of theoretical assumptions in analyzing these data, and offer advice on how to use photographs in cognitive, symbolist, and structuralist research. This compact little volume is packed with richly illustrated examples from Native American masks to perfume advertisements. Compact and concise, this widely accessible volume will benefit students and professionals in sociology, anthropology, and research in communication, advertising, popular culture, and photo journalists.

From the first I included poetic lines, from my novella 'Stand and deliver, to my setting in the places of my childhood, my longest tale, Upon this tree. Either spoken or as a feed to a chapter. An example is the poem 'Remember me (included in full in the 'Love' section) Almost a biographical theme, I mostly write in rhythm and rhyme, a natural instance that appeals to me, though I feel it isn t a necessity in story verses, where it can appear tedious. Like most poets this selection comes from life, love and memories, recollections dear to my heart, whether it may be the love of nature, film, music, yearnings to love, or simple nonsense, where throughout any merit I attribute to God and his encouragement. Also I feel I must add the helping hand of a precious Godly soul, Patricia Tijerina, whose inspiration and encouragement was immeasurable. I hope all who venture to read a part of my life find pleasure and enjoyment in doing so, to know and sense a little of the rapture I convey, whether it be my innermost feelings, or the life-long love of nature, film and childhood. Written under pressure that I assume most could not bear, this book of verse is long overdue. I hope it gives an insight into my life, feelings and memories. Thank you to all who read my first volume of verse, knowing part of my life and ever loving memories, interlaced with the love of nature, film and lighter moments. Michael S Ball

This book ventures into the modern day use of inspiration by the inclusion of 'internet shorts,' requiring a limited space to reply, relating to others simply in admiration or requesting a title for inspiration. I'd write a reply or form a poem suggesting a title, not all are shown here though they're given as inspiration later to complete poems, all done from 'Internet shorts.'The subjects here are mainly love related with a little of nature interspersed here and there. It's surprising how other trains of thought can inspire before 'hello's soon become 'goodbyes.' As is the case with all that correspondence. I hope some of you will seek inspiration from others unknowingly giving suggestions for themes of life love and needs of the heart,.enough to write it down or simply admire anothers ability to express in a poetic way... Michael S Ball..