Photovoice and Cellphone Diaries

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Photovoice and Cellphone Diaries - About

Photovoice is a method that allows individuals to convey their point of view using photography as a medium. With the prevalence of mobile communication, particularly among young people, this concept can be extended to encompass digital diaries that incorporate more than just photos, such as videos, social media posts, and even text messages or emails.  

It enables individuals to recognize and tackle problems that impact their community. Through photography and group discussions, members of the community can take part in the planning process and gather their thoughts on issues like safety, livability, and accessibility of their neighborhoods.

What are the goals of this method?

This qualitative methodology aims to integrate this prevalence of mobile communication into the participatory context by collecting data that help understand spatial representation. This is particularly relevant for participatory context as a viable method for capturing situated practices such as everyday patterns of social and individual on the study site. It positions the individual in a participatory approach that encourages self-expression by allowing a voice through visual and digital representation.

Typically this method provides insights into individual's spatial representation, use of space and issues of social participation and exclusion. The PhotoVoice and Cellphone diaries method collects and generates:

• individuals', notably residents and workers, thoughts and social constructs;

• collection of personal accounts that might have been difficult to gather with a more conventional method;

• affective connections between people, their environments, and life situations.

Its key goals are:

• Empowerment and increased equity: give voice to people and communities who may be excluded from the decision-making process. This method gives value to participants’ perspectives and offers them the chance to be active actors in shaping their neighborhoods and communities.
• Collaboration and innovation: it fosters stronger collaboration with community members and local stakeholders, and support the emergence of new ideas and solutions addressing existing issues and challenges.
• Increased trust and confidence: PhotoVoice and Cellphone diaries allow community members to feel more at ease sharing their experiences; this is particularly relevant when researching sensitive or conflictive topic.
• Inclusion of younger generations: the use of mobile phones in the data collection phase of a research enables younger generations to be more easily and fully involved

In which situations can this method be applied?

PhotoVoice initially originated in the fields of health education and disabilities before making its way to user participation. It is currently used in a wide range of geographical and social contexts.

• When assessing public health issues, the method can be applied to gather data on health behaviours and perceptions, or to develop and evaluate potential planning interventions linked with increased health benefits

• When addressing issues of social and environmental justice: the method gives voice to marginalised communities thus increasing their feeback in design and implementation relevant policies and initiatives

• When analysis areas at risk of environmental disasters: this method can be used to gather information and feedback from affected communities, looking at their perception of past disaster response and recovery processes

A mediator is typically involved to orient the method and identify patterns

How does this method work in practice?

The first step is to identity the targeted participants: they should represent a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. They are then introduced to project’s goals, methods and expectations. The equipment that is used for the data collection is also introduced and explained (cameras might be distributed)

During the data collection phase participants will collect the data with cameras or cellphones: the participants take photographs according to their experiences and perspectives on the topic, or record their daily thoughts, feelings.

This is followed by a group discussion where the participants share and discuss the collected data, highlighting key patterns.

The results are analysised (this might include coding and categorizing) and inform the design of solutions

Finally, the findings should bedisseminated to the wider community, in order to ensure that the insights from the research are given back to the people, and can inform more general future policy development.  

It is important to consider participants' right over their personnal data, prior consent may need to be obained for use and reuse of collected data.

Examples of typical results

The results can differ depending on the predefined goals and the area of study, but they usually cover:

• At an individual-level: participants feels involved as a change agent  
• From a community assessment perspective: a list of key issues according to the community members is drawn, and the main root causes are identified

• From a community capacity-building perspective: new community leaders might emerge during the process 
• Advocacy for change: access to the decision-making process is gained for participants

What are typical next steps after applying this method?

The raw should first lead to the identification of key themes and patterns. These findings should be discussed and lead to the formulation of key recommendations.

To maintain the engagement of participants and communities, it is important that the findings and the proposed recommendations are disseminated and discussed with them. Exchanges of feedack can ensure that future decision and planning development are supported.

The insights gained from the PhotoVoice and Cellphone diaries method may lead to further research needs, or action through participatory processes.

Any limitations and typical pitfalls?

• Power dynamics: the method can be affected by power dynamics between researchers and participants, or between different members of the community taking part of the project. It is important to consider these dynamics to ensure all the voices are heard.  
• Limited representation: for this method, community members are often self-selected, which might lead to underrepresentation of certain other perspectives and groups.  
• Costs: photovoice projects can be expensive. It is important to consider the costs of the cameras or training for the participants.  
• Ethical considerations: the method might raise ethical issues regarding confidentiality, privacy and informed consent. It is important to set clear ethical principles and guidelines and obtain informed consent from all participants.  

Worksheets and Materials

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Further readings, links and references

Research articles

• Catalani, C., & Minkler, M. (2010). Photovoice: A review of the literature in health and public health. Health education & behavior, 37(3), 424-451.
• Douville, L., Dubé, A., Emery, M., Normand, A. (2017), La démarche photovoice à titre d’outil de changement social auprès des jeunes de la rue. Intervention 145, 43-51.
• Guinand S., Rojo, A. M., & Scherner, M. (2021), Exploring lived space of new build urban environment through photovoice interview, Cidades 43.   
• Hergenrather, K. C., Rhodes, S. D., Cowan, C. A., Bardhoshi, G., & Pula, S. (2009). Photovoice as community-based participatory research: A qualitative review. American journal of health behavior, 33(6), 686-698.   
• Jarrahi, M. H., Goray, C., Zirker, S., Zhang, Y. (2021), Using Digital Diaries as a Research Method for Capturing Practices in Situ. Research Methods for Digital Work and Organization: Investigating Distributed, Multi-Modal, and Mobile Work, 107–129
• Julien, H., Given, L. M., & Opryshko, A. (2013). Photovoice: A promising method for studies of individuals' information practices. Library & Information Science Research, 35(4), 257-263.
• Leung, E., & Flanagan, T. (2019). Let’s do this together: an integration of photovoice and mobile interviewing in empowering and listening to LGBTQ+ youths in context. International Journal of adolescence and youth, 24(4), 497-510.   
• Strack, R. W., Orsini, M. M., & Ewald, D. R. (2022). Revisiting the roots and aims of photovoice. Health promotion practice, 23(2), 221-229
• Sutton-Brown, C. A. (2014). Photovoice: A methodological guide. Photography and Culture, 7(2), 169-185.  

• Volpe, C. R. (2019). Digital diaries: new uses of PhotoVoice in participatory research with young people. Children's Geographies, 17(3), 361-370.   

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