Instructions: Students will come up with a research question or topic and gather visual data that will be analyzed.
What is PhotoVoice/Visual Sociology?
PhotoVoice is a participatory research method developed by Wang and Burris (1992).
Uses images (photographs, videos) in a research project. Images teach and raise awareness.
Typically focuses on groups that experience marginalization and/or discrimination in society as a way to give them a voice:
The goal of PhotoVoice is to stimulate action, advocacy, and social change.
Research participants are involved in all phases of the project: Defining the research question/topic; Collecting and analyzing data; Presenting findings
The collaboration of researchers and participants balances the power between the two groups.
Stages and Timeline of the Project:
Choose a topic to portray in your presentation. (this topic can be about anything that involved people who are usually discriminated against, the topic that I chose previously in this class involves sex workers or female dancers at a gentleman’s club but if you cannot get this kind of data then feel free to choose another topic.) Discuss and begin analysis of the visual data with the 5-6 photos you have taken.
Presentation: Each group will create a slideshow presentation with at least 5 photos. Feel free to include additional photos! Presentations are expected to be 15-20 minutes in length.
The slideshow will consist of a slide for each photo along with a caption that analyzes the photo. and writes a narrative for each photo that is included in the final project. Photos and captions will be displayed electronically as a slideshow and must include the following:
A title page.
A separate slide for each photo and caption.
A descriiption of each picture that includes: 1) Location or where the photo was taken; 2) What is going on in the photo (what and/or who is in the photo?)
Analysis of each photo: 1) Students will apply the sociological lens to analyze the photo; 2) Provide an explanation of how the research question/topic is highlighted in the image. Each caption must be at least 200 words in length.
A works cited slide.
Groups will present their photos to the class on. Students will describe their reflections on the process by addressing: 1) Did this project increase your awareness of a particular phenomenon? Why or why not?; 2) How do the images your group collected contribute to the dialogue around these issues?; and 3) How might these images be used to influence policy-makers?
8. Submit the slideshow with photos and captions to Canvas by 11:59pm on 12/12.
Ethical Concerns:
Subjective data interpretation
Maintaining Confidentiality of participants
How will the group approach a topic?
If you use people in your photos you MUST obtain their consent, unless you are in a public space. However, if you do include people in public spaces be sure to think of ways to protect their identity (identities). You may use the same consent form as you did for the in-depth interview assignment.
Alternatives to having people in photos:
Cropping, blurring, only showing parts of the body, and the use of metaphors. Masking the identity of people (cut heads off of people in your photo, avoid using photos that may contain any identifying information, photographing the backs of people).
Pictures of scenery and landscapes rather than people.
Pictures of billboards and other public displays advertisements
Public spaces (playgrounds, parks, bus stops, train stations)
