Leveraging the Photovoice Methodology for Critical Realist Theorizing

Bibliographic Data

ID2410953
AuthorsFerdinand C Mukumbang (0000-0003-1441-2172), Brian Van Wyk (0000-0003-1032-1847)
Year2020
Volume19
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1609406920958981
OpenAlexW3095530593
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited57

Photovoice is a visual research methodology that integrates images and words to encourage the exploration of the experiences, perceptions, and meaning-making processes of individuals on various social phenomena. As a participatory qualitative methodology, Photovoice has been used within the interpretivist paradigm to explore various [public] health and social phenomena to enhance participants' (co-investigators') engagement and to lobby for policy. Despite its exponential growth and extensive application in the last two decades, its potential usefulness in critical realist-informed studies is unexplored. Herein, we highlight the epistemological and methodological alignment of the Photovoice methodology with the critical realist philosophy of science regarding the understanding of social phenomena through meaning-making. Drawing on the authors' work on adolescents' (non)adherence behavior on antiretroviral therapy, we illustrate the application of Photovoice methods in a critical realist-informed qualitative study. The emancipatory potential of the Photovoice methodology aligns with that of critical realist epistemology as they privilege participants' (co-investigators') knowledge generation and learning to better understand and take control of their situation - 'integrated' knowledge translation. Methodologically, Photovoice provides a useful dialogue strategy for promoting discussions between the researcher and the co-investigators to obtain value-impregnated accounts to inform critical realist theorizing. The Photovoice methodology is appropriate for theorizing in critical realist research and especially suitable when engaging with suppressed or marginalized populations

Critical realism (philosophy of perception · Critical theory · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Meaning (existential · Participatory action research · Photovoice · Privilege (computing · Qualitative research · Realism · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Critical Realism in Sociology · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Participatory Visual Research Methods