Qualitative data collection tools collect data which is best characterized as descriptive – text based data expressed in participants’ own words. This kind of data track changes in participants’ attitudes and perceptions, identify why and how change is happening, and are analyzed by organizing emerging themes. Photovoice is a qualitative method used in community-based participatory research to document and reflect reality. It is an empowering and flexible process that combines photography with grassroots social action and is commonly used in the fields of community development, international development, public health, and education

1. Photovoice
Daniel Aboma (PhD
candidate)
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2. Outline • Introduction
• Application
• When to Use ?
• Benefits
• Challenges
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3. Introduction • is a type of participatory action research
in which people - usually those with little
power – use photographs and/or video to
picture their environment and
experiences and to express their thoughts
Goals of photovoice:
• To provide a voice for those who have
none
• To instill critical consciousness
• To influence policy
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4. Application Photovoice has been successfully used in
the fields of
• Education,
• Disability studies,
• Public health, and refugees
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5. Cont.. • People who lack a voice in the community
or society, including:
Homeless adults and families
People with physical and mental
disabilities or mental health issues
People with chronic diseases or
medical conditions
Members of racial, ethnic, language,
religious or cultural minorities
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6. Cont.. • Some types of organizations that could
benefit by using photovoice with
participants:
Schools and other organizations that work
with children and youth
Orphanages, group houses, homeless
shelters, and other living situations for those
who need care
Organizations that work with people whose
needs and humanity are commonly ignored
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7. When to Use ? When
• photovoice can change people's opinions
about themselves and their environment.
• a group's situation needs to be publicized.
• a problem needs to be publicized
• change is necessary, and photovoice can
help to influence policy makers
• a community assessment is needed or in
progress
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8. Principles • Photovoice should be a participatory,
collaborative process from the beginning.
• Participants and staff need training.
• Participants need support
• The project should result in some action
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9. Benefits of
Photovoice
• The rewards of taking photographs are
immediate.
• Photography is both fun and creative.
• Taking photographs or videos of familiar
scenes and people can change
participants' perceptions about their
social and physical environment.
• Basic photography is easy to learn and
accessible to almost everyone.
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
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10. Cont.. • Images can be understood regardless of
language, culture, or other factors
• Policy makers can't deny reality when it's
staring them in the face
• Photography and video provide a means
for empowerment without requiring
people to stand up and speak in public
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11. Challenges • Methodological principles may not
coincide with reality
• Personal judgment may intervene at
different level of representation
• Broader class stratification may be
reproduced by the control of resources
• Photography training
• Retrieving consent forms
• Issues of time and distance
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12. Refence • Budig, K. et al. (2018) ‘Photovoice and
empowerment: Evaluating the
transformative potential of a
participatory action research project’,
BMC Public Health, 18(1), pp. 1–9.
doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5335-7.
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13. Thank you!
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