ABSTRACT
Objective
to reflect on the use of photographs in the apprehension of social representations of phenomena in health care by applying the photolanguage technique and the photovoice method.
Method
a reflective and theoretical study developed in two stages: literature analysis; and reflective analysis on the technique and method applied, based on social representations.
Development
the analysis pointed out that photographs make it possible to capture the silent zone of representations and the dimension of affections, symbols, as well as that they are part of the methodological triangulation strategy to understand the multiple dimensions that contribute to the organization of the field of social representation of phenomena in health care.
Conclusion and implications for the practice
photographs enhance apprehension of the figurative dimension of the representation, essential in understanding the elaboration of social thinking. The use of photolanguage and photovoice in the research operational practice contributes to the advancement of knowledge in studies of social representations in health care.
Keywords:
Data collection; Photography; Nursing research; Qualitative research; Social Psychology