Using creative methods to research across difference. An introduction to the special issue

Abstract

This special issue explores some of the methodological challenges that are brought into play when scholars deploy creative methods to research across difference. Within the research methods literature, the term 'creative methods' is typically used to refer to an approach that enables people to express themselves in non-verbal ways (Gauntlett, 2007), often used in combination with more traditional methods such as interviews and focus groups. Mannay (2016) (drawing on Pauwels, 2011) suggests that creative methods can be categorised under one of three approaches. First, researchers can focus on a variety of 'found' materials. While this has been a well-established approach within the disciplines of history, art and archaeology, it is also now frequently used in the social sciences. Here, emphasis is placed on the importance of analysis and interpretation, rather than creation and production. Examples include the analysis of the visual content of: school websites and marketing materials (e.g. Wilkins, 2012); posters promoting sexual health (e.g. Jewitt, 1997); and fanzines produced by young women (e.g. Harris, 2004). Second, projects may be built around 'researcher-initiated productions' (Mannay, 2016), in which researchers are positioned as image-creatorsfor example, taking photographs of tattoos (Jacobson and Luzatto, 2004); sketching the layout of shared housing (Heath and Cleaver, 2004); and filming classroom interactions (Baines et al., 2009). Third, participants may be involved in more participatory ways, where the researcher acts as facilitator. Such approaches have included: documentary-making with young people (e.g. Blum-Ross, 2013); running photography workshops with refugees (e.g. Finney and

Art-based methods in science education research

“…Art-based qualitative methods have gained ground in related research areas, such as education, in which they have proven to be vital in gaining insights that more widespread methods, such as surveys and interviews, struggle to capture (Brooks et al, 2020). Based on a systematic literature review, we showed how art-based research methods have gained limited ground within science education research with a few identified studies.…”

“…It is worth paying attention to these various elements that extend beyond oral and written language because they challenge the barriers and constraints related to language skills, such as cognitive abilities and native language (Polkinghorne, 2005). The vulnerability of language requires the abilities to recognize, remember, and pronounce with confidence when speaking and writing (Brooks et al, 2020). Such challenges are overcome by utilizing the potential of art-based methods to move beyond language skills and barriers by expressing wordless understandings of the world.…”

Creative Procedure of Bin Products for Children

“…From the creative procedure in this characteristic, this was considered as the response of the physiology (Aniago, E., et al, 2020;Weisberg, R. W., 2004), including creating the co-learning from the new developed environment (Braun, V. & Clark, V., 2006;Anderson, R. C. & Haney, M., 2020;Brooks, R., et al, 2020).…”

The Social Role of Women within the Legal and Parliamentary Context in Ecuador

“…The present study is based on a multi-method approach, where researchers are interested in beliefs, percentages, experiences and systems of meaning. The mixed or multi-method research includes statistical analysis and empirical calculation according to Brooks, Lainio, and Lažetić (2020). In this way, the roots of qualitative research are found in social and cultural anthropological, philosophical, psychological, historical and sociological research, contemplating a theoretical-legal documentary type design (Corona et al, 2017).…”