VideoVoice Method

Theoretical Underpinnings
Videovoice is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategy that adopts the strengths of Photovoice methodology and incorporates digital video technology. As is characteristic of participatory research projects, the Videovoice approach emphasizes community participation in all of the stages of research, including defining the research question, design, implementation, analysis, results reporting, and action on the results.(1-24) In this way, Videovoice is not just a research project but also a community organizing and development project that includes research as one of the many methods to achieve the broader goals of empowerment, social justice, and the abolishment of health disparities.
Today, the Photovoice method is the most prominent example of using mixed media and arts in CBPR. Wang defines Photovoice as a “participatory action research strategy in which people identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique.” (Wang, 1997) The main goals of Photovoice are to enable people to 1. record and reflect their community’ strengths and concerns, 2. promote critical dialogue about personal and community issues through discussion about photographs, and 3. reach policymakers.(25-33)
While incorporating the strengths of the Photovoice method, Videovoice will also harness emerging digital video technology. This technology adds sound (including music), narrative sequencing/storytelling, and action to the existing Photovoice medium.(34, 35)

Methodology
As we envision it, Videovoice methodology will include multiple stages, many of which are familiar to CBPR and Photovoice projects:

– Community participants rapidly learn how to use video equipment through games and exercises.
– Facilitators help groups to identify and analyse important issues in their community.
– Short videos and messages are directed and filmed by community participants.
– Footage is shown to the wider community at daily screenings.
– A dynamic process of community-led learning, sharing, and exchange is set in motion.
– Completed videos can be used to promote awareness and exchange between various target groups.
– Videos are used to strengthen communication between other communities and decision-makers.

References
1.    Israel, B., Eng, V., Schulz, and Parker. Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research for Health, 2005.
2.    Minkler, M., Vasquez, V. B., Warner, J. R., Steussey, H., and Facente, S. “Sowing the seeds for sustainable change: a community-based participatory research partnership for health promotion in Indiana, USA and its aftermath,” Health Promot Int (2006).
3.    Minkler, M., Vasquez, V. B., Tajik, M., and Petersen, D. “Promoting Environmental Justice Through Community-Based Participatory Research: The Role of Community and Partnership Capacity,” Health Educ Behav (2006).
4.    Partin, M. R. “A challenging but critical endeavor: balancing responsiveness and rigor in community-based participatory research,” Health Educ Behav 33 (2006): 574-7; discussion 578-9.
5.    Wallerstein, N. B., and Duran, B. “Using community-based participatory research to address health disparities,” Health Promot Pract 7 (2006): 312-23.
6.    Shoultz, J., Oneha, M. F., Magnussen, L., Hla, M. M., Brees-Saunders, Z., Cruz, M. D., and Douglas, M. “Finding solutions to challenges faced in community-based participatory research between academic and community organizations,” J Interprof Care 20 (2006): 133-44.
7.    Westfall, J. M., VanVorst, R. F., Main, D. S., and Herbert, C. “Community-based participatory research in practice-based research networks,” Ann Fam Med 4 (2006): 8-14.
8.    Plumb, M., Price, W., and Kavanaugh-Lynch, M. H. “Funding community-based participatory research: lessons learned,” J Interprof Care 18 (2004): 428-39.
9.    Nyamathi, A., Koniak-Griffin, D., Tallen, L., Gonzalez-Figueroa, E., Levson, L., Mosley, Y., Dominick, E., and Anderson, N. L. “Use of community-based participatory research in preparing low income and homeless minority populations for future HIV vaccines,” J Interprof Care 18 (2004): 369-80.
10.    Katz, D. L. “Representing your community in community-based participatory research: differences made and measured,” Prev Chronic Dis 1 (2004): A12.
11.    Green, L. W. “Ethics and community-based participatory research: commentary on Minkler,” Health Educ Behav 31 (2004): 698-701.
12.    Minkler, M. “Ethical challenges for the “outside” researcher in community-based participatory research,” Health Educ Behav 31 (2004): 684-97.
13.    Viswanathan, M., Ammerman, A., Eng, E., Garlehner, G., Lohr, K. N., Griffith, D., Rhodes, S., Samuel-Hodge, C., Maty, S., Lux, L., Webb, L., Sutton, S. F., Swinson, T., Jackman, A., and Whitener, L. “Community-based participatory research: assessing the evidence,” Evid Rep Technol Assess (Summ) (2004): 1-8.
14.    Israel, B. A., Schulz, A. J., Parker, E. A., and Becker, A. B. “Community-based participatory research: policy recommendations for promoting a partnership approach in health research,” Educ Health (Abingdon) 14 (2001): 182-97.
15.    Litt, I. F. “Research with, not on, adolescents: community-based participatory research,” J Adolesc Health 33 (2003): 315-6.
16.    Shiu-Thornton, S. “Addressing cultural competency in research: integrating a community-based participatory research approach,” Alcohol Clin Exp Res 27 (2003): 1361-4.
17.    O’Toole, T. P., Aaron, K. F., Chin, M. H., Horowitz, C., and Tyson, F. “Community-based participatory research: opportunities, challenges, and the need for a common language,” J Gen Intern Med 18 (2003): 592-4.
18.    Krieger, J., Allen, C., Cheadle, A., Ciske, S., Schier, J. K., Senturia, K., and Sullivan, M. “Using community-based participatory research to address social determinants of health: lessons learned from Seattle Partners for Healthy Communities,” Health Educ Behav 29 (2002): 361-82.
19.    Goodman, R. M. “Community-based participatory research: questions and challenges to an essential approach,” J Public Health Manag Pract 7 (2001): v-vi.
20.    Lantz, P. M., Viruell-Fuentes, E., Israel, B. A., Softley, D., and Guzman, R. “Can communities and academia work together on public health research? Evaluation results from a community-based participatory research partnership in Detroit,” J Urban Health 78 (2001): 495-507.
21.    Higgins, D. L., and Metzler, M. “Implementing community-based participatory research centers in diverse urban settings,” J Urban Health 78 (2001): 488-94.
22.    Higgins, D. L., Maciak, B., and Metzler, M. “CDC Urban Research Centers: community-based participatory research to improve the health of urban communities,” J Womens Health Gend Based Med 10 (2001): 9-15.
23.    Minkler, M., Blackwell, A. G., and Thompson, M. “Community-Based Participatory Research: Implications for Public Health Funding,” American Journal of Public Health 93 (2003): 1210-13.
24.    Petersen, D., Minkler, M., V·squez, V. B., and Baden, A. C. “Community-Based Participatory Research as a Tool for Policy Change: A Case Study of the Southern California Environmental Justice Collaborative,” Review of Policy Research 23 (2006): 339.
25.    Minkler, M., Wallerstein, N., and Hall, B. Community based participatory research for health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.
26.    Israel, B. A., ed. Methods in community-based participatory research for health San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005.
27.    Wang, C. C., and Pies, C. A. “Family, maternal, and child health through photovoice,” Maternal and Child Health Journal 8 (2004): 95-102.
28.    Wang, C. C., Anderson, R. M., and Stern, D. T. “Exploring professional values and health policy through Photovoice,” Medical Education 38 (2004): 1190-1191.
29.    Wang, C. C., Morrel-Samuels, S., Hutchison, P. M., Bell, L., and Pestronk, R. M. “Flint photovoice: Community building among youths, adults, and policymakers,” American Journal of Public Health 94 (2004): 911-913.
30.    Wang, C. C., and Redwood-Jones, Y. A. “Photovoice ethics: Perspectives from flint photovoice,” Health Education & Behavior 28 (2001): 560-572.
31.    Wang, C. C. “Photovoice: A participatory action research strategy applied to women’s health,” Journal of Womens Health 8 (1999): 185-192.
32.    Wang, C. C., Yi, W. K., Tao, Z. W., and Carovano, K. “Photovoice as a participatory health promotion strategy,” Health Promotion International 13 (1998): 75-86.
33.    Wang, C., and Burris, M. A. “Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment,” Health Education & Behavior 24 (1997): 369-387.
34.    Chavez, V., Israel, B., Allen, A. J., 3rd, DeCarlo, M. F., Lichtenstein, R., Schulz, A., Bayer, I. S., and McGranaghan, R. “A Bridge Between Communities: Video-making using principles of community-based participatory research,” Health Promot Pract 5 (2004): 395-403.
35.    Lowry, C. “AIDS education video: Karate Kids,” Child Worldw 20 (1993): 65.
36.    Lunch, N., and Lunch, C. Insights Into Participatory Video. Oxford: Insight, 2006.