Photographic Documenting, Article Critique Example

Abstract

The research technique which is designated photo documenting empowers members of the community in which it is being practiced. The primary benefits of the photographic documenting perspective are directed towards those members of the community who possess minimal authority in their communities. The participatory community research action technique enables instruction for the community’s critical awareness. The foundations of the photographic documenting techniques which have been applied in this article will be reviewed from the perspective of Wang & Burns (1994) and Wang et al. (1998).

Article Critique

The objective of this article and the study which had been conducted was to review the effectiveness of participatory community action research in order to enhance the living conditions of a community by means of collective awareness and the application of photographicdocumenting. The research had been conducted as a mixed methods case study in which the participatory goals were established. The population sample which had been applied in this study was composed of sixty two female respondents who were selected from Yunnan province in China (Wang & Burns, 1994; Wang et al., 1998).

The sixty two Chinese female respondents who participated in the first part of the research study were incorporated into the study in addition to the personnel of Women’sVoice publication. This is a publication which is published by the AWCF (All Chinese Women Federation), local authorities at the distinct levels of the local Yunnan and Chinese government, Chinese academicians and the representatives of various philanthropic agencies. The objective of the research was to enhance the health care services which are accessible to the female residents of the impoverished rural communities in Yunnan Province, China (Wang & Burns, 1994; Wang et al., 1998).

Research Methods

The data collection methods were conducted by means of empowering the residents of the village with cameras in order to gains a photographic perspective. The second component of the data collection methods in this research incorporated the implementation of survey questionnaires in order to gather information. The data was then reviewed by citizen’s groups where it had been transcribed and subsequently published in peer reviewed literature. The publishing of the findings of this research was performed in order to stimulate public awareness of the living conditions in Yunnan Province (Wang & Burns, 1994; Wang et al., 1998).

Personal Reflection

The participants who held thehighest socio- economic status in these communities benefitted from the experiential knowledge of the local residents. The efforts which were conducted by the local authorities were acknowledged through thedistribution of peer- reviewed publications. The modest members of the community benefitted from the enhanced access to authorities with the potential outcome of improving   their living conditions. The weaknesses of this research were that the members of the community who had been selected for participation in the photographic component of the study possessed relatively little influence on the outcomes of the research. My personal dislikes with regards to this research is the potential ability of the authority or the researchers to manipulate the findings.

Conclusion

The participatory community action research may enhance the accessibility of the members of the community to health care services. Themotivation of the researchers and the authorities must not be allowed to overshadow the health care needs of the community.

References

Wang, C. & Burns, M. A. (1994). Empowerment through photo novella: portraits of participation. Health Education Quarterly, 21(2): 171- 186.

Wang, C. W., Yi, W. K., Tao, Z. W. & Carovano, K. (1998). Photovoice as a participatory health promotion strategy. Health Promotion International, 13(1): 75- 86.