Applying Photovoice to the Study of Asian Immigrants’ Information Needs

Abstract

Immigrants in their new country may have diverse and complex information needs. Appropriate methods are part of scientific discourse on how to effectively engage with immigrants to reflect their information needs and life experiences. This paper discusses the application of the photovoice method to study Asian immigrants’ information needs as they settled in South Australia. As a participatory approach, photovoice allowed immigrants to take photos to actively record their own information needs and concerns. We reflected how photovoice can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of immigrants’ information needs by overcoming language barriers and expressing personal feelings and emotions. Photovoice is considered to be a useful method for studying vulnerable or underrepresented populations.