Arts-based Research
Arts-based Research
Arts-based research (ABR) is a research method that incorporates art into the research process and the discovery of knowledge and understanding. It underlines acts of creativity and engagement, thus enabling researchers to delve into complex issues through different art forms, hence multiplying the academic discourse and bringing in new perspectives.
What are the key characteristics of arts-based research?
Artistic research has a clear signature of the implementation of artistic methods like visual arts, performance arts, music, and literature as the main means of dealing with research problems. Along with this, such an approach is an academic way to creativity and a road to the engagement of participants with the issues at hand, to construct and interpret their real-life experiences like or in a variety of different forms. For instance, a researcher can pull a movie drama out of his hat -theater- to reveal the comings and goings of the community, the community members are involved in acting their own stories, therefore, at the end of the day, they achieved understanding in a way that was never possible before with traditional means.
How does arts-based research differ from traditional research methods?
As opposed to classical methods of inquiry that usually value quantitative data and objective assessment, art-based research recognizes the subjectiveness and individual stories. It considers the creation process as important as the end product and thus often yields a rich qualitative database. For example, a visual artist researching cultural identity could produce a series of paintings that illustrate the narratives of the participants, presenting a distinctive and engaging viewpoint that is unobtainable through the use of figures alone.
What are the benefits of using arts-based research?
Arts-based research comes with benefits like increased participation from the participants, the possibility of using sophisticated emotional and cultural expressions, and the encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, it can help to will research results find to public access. One instance is the making of a documentary film in the context of a research project, which not only conveys information to community members and stakeholders possibly disinterested in the formal scientific write-ups but also helps to promote discussion and cultivates mutual understanding.
In what fields is arts-based research commonly applied?
Research involving artistic practices is a popular method in the disciplines of training, social sciences, medical care, and local area creation. It is especially useful in understanding the subjects of identity, social justice, and mental health. For example, in education, teachers could employ art-based research to observe pupils' learning activities in the form of writing stories or doing art projects, which would be a means of expressing their feelings and thinking that a normal test would not be able to include.