Leveraging the Photovoice Methodology for Critical Realist Theorizing

Abstract

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.