Evaluating a visual timeline methodology for appraisal and coping research.

Theoretical models of stress have become increasingly sophisticated, recognizing the
importance of context and history, yet the principal data-gathering method used by
researchers remains the self-report questionnaire, a method which is conspicuously ill
suited to obtaining data which would allow for exploration of these factors. In this article,
we explore the use of visual methods as an alternative to traditional methods, presenting
the findings of a study designed to test the utility of a visual timeline technique. A key
contribution of this article is the application of an alternative technique for researching
stress appraisal and coping. The technique conferred a number of benefits that may not
have been provided by more conventional approaches, making it a suitable basis for the
exploration of stress appraisal and coping. A further contribution is the identification of a
straightforward process for analysing the visual data produced.
Practitioner Points
Understanding appraisal and coping in terms of history and context is crucial to the
design of effective stress interventions.
The visual timeline method offers practitioners an alternative way of gathering data to
inform the design of appropriate interventions.
It may be especially useful in working with individuals and organizations coping with
change: the method was positively evaluated by participants, who found the
experience enjoyable and beneficial, so it may elicit more engagement than traditional
methods for gauging employee responses to change, such as attitude surveys.