Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Derleme Makale

No. 18 (2026)

Photovoice as a Participant-Oriented Research Design

Submitted
May 13, 2026
Published
2026-06-19

Abstract

Photovoice is a participatory action research approach that enables participants to document their lives through photographs, engage in critical dialogue, and reach policymakers for social change. This study examines its theoretical foundations, critical and phenomenological approaches, implementation stages, ethical principles, and a four‑phase data analysis strategy (researcher interpretation, participant interpretation, cross‑comparison, theorization). A comparison of international and Turkish examples shows that international studies more often achieve tangible policy outcomes (e.g., environmental modifications), whereas Turkish studies tend to focus on raising awareness. Photovoice is a powerful tool for non‑literate individuals, migrants with language barriers, and groups often invisible in conventional research. Its significance is expected to grow in today’s visually driven world.

References

  1. Asaba, E., Laliberte Rudman, D., Mondaca, M., & Park, M. (2014). Visual methodologies: Photovoice in focus. In S. Nayar & M. Stanley (Eds.), Qualitative Research Methodologies for Occupational Science and Therapy (ss. 1-15). Routledge.
  2. Banks, M. (2008). Using visual data in qualitative research. Sage.
  3. Carlson, E. D., Engebretson, J., & Chamberlain, R. M. (2006). Photovoice as a social process of critical consciousness. Qualitative Health Research, 16(6), 836-852.
  4. Evans-Agnew, R. A., & Rosemberg, M. A. S. (2016). Questioning Photovoice Research: Whose Voice? Qualitative Health Research, 26(8), 1019-1030.
  5. Finlay, L. (2005). “Reflexive embodied empathy”: A phenomenology of participant–researcher intersubjectivity. The Humanistic Psychologist, 33(4), 271–292
  6. Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
  7. Gabrielsson, H., Holmgren, J., & Hultgren, A. (2022). Photovoice revisited: Dialogue and action as pivotal. Qualitative Health Research, 32(5), 814-822.
  8. Harper, D. (2002). Talking about pictures: A case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies, 17(1), 13-26.
  9. Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J., & Luff, P. (2010). Video in qualitative research: Analysing social interaction in everyday life. SAGE.
  10. Johnston, G. (2016). Photovoice: false hopes and ethical pitfalls. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 15(1).
  11. Kuratani, D. G., & Lai, E. (2011). Photovoice literature review. Uni. Southern California.
  12. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
  13. Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. MIT Press.
  14. Oliffe, J. L., Bottorff, J. L., Kelly, M., & Haplin, M. (2008). Analyzing participant produced photographs from an ethnographic study of fatherhood and smoking. Research in Nursing & Health, 31, 529–539.
  15. Özdamar Akarçay, G. (2023). Görsel sosyoloji: Kavramlar, dönemler, yöntemler. Phoenix.
  16. Pink, S. (2013). Doing visual ethnography (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
  17. Power, N. G., Norman, M. E., & Dupré, K. (2014). Rural youth and emotional geographies: How photovoice and words-alone methods tell different stories of place. Journal of Youth Studies, 17(8), 1114–1129.
  18. Reasner, L. (2025) Using photovoice as a community engagement tool. Extension. AECL-9812 Oklahoma State University.
  19. Rose, G. (2016). Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials (4th ed.). Sage.
  20. Save the Children. (2014). Photovoice guidance: 10 simple steps to involve children in needs assessments. Save the Children UK.
  21. Tsang, K. K. (2020). Photovoice data analysis: Critical approach, phenomenological approach, and beyond. Beijing International Review of Education, 2(1), 136-152.
  22. van Manen, M. (2014). Phenomenology of practice: Meaning-giving methods in phenomenological research and writing. Left Coast Press.
  23. Wang, C. C. (1999). Photovoice: A participatory action research strategy applied to women's health. Journal of Women's Health, 8(2), 185-192.
  24. Wang, C. C., & Burris, M. A. (1994). Empowerment through photo novella: Portraits of participation. Health Education Quarterly, 21(2), 171-186.
  25. Wang, C. C., & Burris, M. A. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education & Behavior, 24(3), 369-387.
  26. Wang, C. C., & Redwood-Jones, Y. A. (2001). Photovoice ethics: Perspectives from Flint Photovoice. Health Education & Behavior, 28(5), 560-572.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>