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Using photovoice with older adults: some methodological strengths and issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2011

SHEILA NOVEK ,
TONI MORRIS-OSWALD  and
VERENA MENEC
SHEILA NOVEK
Affiliation:
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
TONI MORRIS-OSWALD
Affiliation:
Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
VERENA MENEC*
Affiliation:
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
*
Address for correspondence: Verena Menec, Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, S113 Medical Services Building, 750 Bannatyne Ave, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada. E-mail: menec@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Abstract

Photovoice is a qualitative research technique in which participants record and reflect on their community through photography. The technique is gaining popularity as a participatory research methodology. Few studies, however, have described the use of photovoice with older adults. This paper examines the application of photovoice in a qualitative, participatory research study examining age-friendly community characteristics in four communities in Manitoba, Canada. Thirty older adults were provided with cameras and took photographs to illustrate how age-friendly their communities are and participated in group discussions to identify priorities in becoming more age-friendly. The research process and results were analysed in order to assess the application of the methodology with older adults. Photovoice is an effective tool for eliciting older persons’ perceptions of their communities, giving voice to the unique concerns of older adults, and identifying strategies for change. If adapted to accommodate the needs of seniors, this methodology provides an innovative approach to community-based gerontological research. On the other hand, there are a number of challenges to be overcome if photovoice is to be a truly effective research instrument, including recruitment, photography training, retrieving consent forms, and issues of time and distance.

Keywords

photovoiceolder adultsparticipatory researchqualitative methods
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 32 , Issue 3 , April 2012 , pp. 451 - 470
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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