Participant Perspectives and Researchers’ Methodological Reflections on a Photovoice Project Conducted in a Malawian Informal Settlement

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19479213
AutoresTracy Chasima (0009-0005-0540-7023, University of Malawi), Line Caes (0000-0001-7355-0706, University of Stirling), Limbani Kalumbi (0000-0001-9554-9802, University of Malawi), Lusizi Kambalame (University of Malawi), Moses Chamba (University of Malawi), Hugh Douglas Price (0000-0001-6886-4516, University of Stirling), Heather Price (0000-0001-8777-5682, University of Stirling), Isabelle Uny (0000-0002-9548-5332, University of Stirling, autor de correspondencia)
Año2026
Volumen25
Fecha de publicación2026-01-19
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/16094069261439752
OpenAlexW7160979433
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas61

This paper reports on a photovoice process conducted in an informal settlement in southern Malawi, in a study that explored the use of solid fuels and household air pollution. Drawing on principles of double hermeneutics and reflexivity, we present both participants’ perspectives, gathered through a focus group with nine photovoice participants conducted at the end of the study, and the research team’s reflections, to offer methodological insights for conducting ethical, inclusive photovoice research in informal settlements. Participants reflected that they gained valuable knowledge, built community connections, and developed new skills while contributing meaningfully to research. They also reported challenges in participating in photovoice, including community suspicions of research motives, managing community expectations, and navigating issues arising from taking photographs in the community. Through this iterative dialogue between researchers’ reflexivity and participants’ reflections, we identify nine key lessons for the conduct of photovoice: building close researcher-participant relationships; clarifying roles and expectations early; providing comprehensive training; maintaining manageable participant numbers; ensuring meaningful and interactive dissemination; addressing ethical issues adaptively; considering sociocultural contexts; systematically seeking participants’ feedback; and maintaining reflexivity throughout. This methodological paper addresses critical gaps in photovoice literature by critically examining the challenges and advantages of conducting photovoice in sub-Saharan African informal settlements, where few studies have done so. We provide practical guidance for researchers wishing to undertake photovoice in similar contexts, whether in Africa or elsewhere

Ethnography · Focus group · Participant observation · Participatory action research · Photo elicitation · Photovoice · Reflexivity · Settlement (finance) · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics