Adapting qualitative methods during the COVID-19 era: the Photovoice online with strengths and critical perspectives
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
12-1-2021 5:20 PM
End Date
12-1-2021 5:40 PM
Abstract
2020 will be remembered by the scientific community both for the pandemic health crisis that the world has had to face, and for the ability of researchers to adapt their research methods to the situation of social distancing necessary to combat COVID-19. The technology, not always widespread among the population, created many difficulties in reaching certain population targets, however it was the only way during the lockdown to be able to do more research. Therefore, both quantitative and qualitative research made use of remote data collection methods that allowed to mitigate the challenges of physical distancing and improve the researchers' toolbox. This work aims to highlight the strengths and critical issue of using the online Photovoice. The Participatory Action Research project involved 130 young adults who took part in a Photovoice online activity with the theme "Living with COVID-19: practical and emotional aspects". In this work we intend to return the analysis of the online Photovoice process, giving voice to the participants who, through individual reflective practices, have reasoned on the proposed technique and, with a group reflection, have highlighted the relevant group dynamics. The data collected were analyzed, on the basis of grounded theory, with the support of the NVivo 12 software. In the light of the main results, the strengths, critical issue and challenges of the use and effectiveness of the online Photovoice are discussed, which has allowed the creation of new social networks, a space for reflection and discussion and activation for individual and community empowerment.
Keywords
Photovoice online, COVID-19, qualitative method, empowerment, Italy
Adapting qualitative methods during the COVID-19 era: the Photovoice online with strengths and critical perspectives
2020 will be remembered by the scientific community both for the pandemic health crisis that the world has had to face, and for the ability of researchers to adapt their research methods to the situation of social distancing necessary to combat COVID-19. The technology, not always widespread among the population, created many difficulties in reaching certain population targets, however it was the only way during the lockdown to be able to do more research. Therefore, both quantitative and qualitative research made use of remote data collection methods that allowed to mitigate the challenges of physical distancing and improve the researchers' toolbox. This work aims to highlight the strengths and critical issue of using the online Photovoice. The Participatory Action Research project involved 130 young adults who took part in a Photovoice online activity with the theme "Living with COVID-19: practical and emotional aspects". In this work we intend to return the analysis of the online Photovoice process, giving voice to the participants who, through individual reflective practices, have reasoned on the proposed technique and, with a group reflection, have highlighted the relevant group dynamics. The data collected were analyzed, on the basis of grounded theory, with the support of the NVivo 12 software. In the light of the main results, the strengths, critical issue and challenges of the use and effectiveness of the online Photovoice are discussed, which has allowed the creation of new social networks, a space for reflection and discussion and activation for individual and community empowerment.