Liceo de Cagayan University School of Graduate Studies

Name: Radhel Faith V. Tolo

Course: MMBM

REFLECTION PAPER ON THE BEST PRACTICES AND PHOTO VOICE STUDY

Why conduct research? To understand a phenomenon, situation, or behavior under study, test

existing theories and to develop new theories on the basis of existing ones , answer different

questions of “how”, “what”, “which”, “when” and “why” about a phenomenon, behavior, or

situation, research-related activities contribute to forming or making new knowledge and expand the

existing knowledge base.

Over time, each professional develops his or her own method for conducting current and best

practices research. There is no one best way to conduct the research; it is more a question of finding

the method that works best for you and your research area. However, conducting current and best

practices research generally involves three basic steps: formulation of the question, gathering

preliminary information, and conducting in-depth interviews.

PhotoVoice is a fun, interactive way to express yourself. A visually intriguing means of

communicating the experiences of minoritized communities to the general public. PhotoVoice's core

values include cooperation, empowerment, advocacy, and partnership .Members of marginalised

populations use photography to graphically convey the strengths and challenges they face in their

daily lives, communities, and wider societal contexts. The goal is to shoot images that address

critical societal issues in order to create permanent change. Participants in all PhotoVoice initiatives

capture images that depict their lived experiences with accompanying written narratives, learning to

advocate for themselves and others in the process. PhotoVoice has been utilized in the field of

mental health to address a variety of issues that people with mental illnesses encounter, from
 Liceo de Cagayan University School of Graduate Studies

isolation and stigma to highlighting their experiences the difficulties that people have when seeking

and using mental health care.

For marginalized youth, critical consciousness is thought to be a "antidote" to institutional

injustice. Photovoice has primarily been utilized as a needs assessment tool based on community-

based participatory research, despite being grounded on critical pedagogy concepts. The potential for

Photovoice to be utilized as a tool to build critical consciousness, particularly among youngsters, has

only been studied in a limited way. This study aims to cover a research gap: how can teenagers who

participate in visual research, specifically Photovoice, go through the critical reflection process to

build critical consciousness? Adult participants and a retrospective approach were used in previous

Photovoice studies that specifically explore the relationship between critical consciousness and

Photovoice. This study builds on the previous one by using a prospective design and applying an

existing framework for kids in a new situation. This research is based on studies that focus on the

methodology of youth empowerment using Photovoice. As access to photography becomes wider,

there needs to be more Photovoice studies that adapt their methodology to non-traditional forms of

media, for instance social media.

As more people, particularly youth, become increasingly interested in photographing their

worlds and lived experiences, we must consider how we can use technology and tools to develop

youth's sociopolitical consciousness so that they can envision a new society in which everyone can

live freely and have the power to dismantle oppressive systems.