1 Introducing creative research
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Helen Kara
Abstract
The 21st century is a dynamic and exciting time for research methods.
Methodological boundaries are expanding across disciplines. Even in the few years since the first edition of this book, the field has developed and proliferated as researchers seek effective ways to address increasingly complex questions. This applies across the social sciences, arts and humanities, as well as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. For example, pure mathematics, long considered a numerical discipline based on deductive reasoning, has begun to experiment with experiments (Sørensen 2016: 140) and employ creative writing (Harron 2016: 1).
This second edition reconceptualises creative research methods into five key areas:
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arts-based research;
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embodied research (new as a key area in this edition);
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research using technology;
-
multi-modal research1 (formerly mixed-methods research); and
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transformative research frameworks (such as participatory, feminist, community-based, queer and asset-based methodologies).
These areas are not mutually exclusive; in this book you will find examples of research that draws on two, three, four or even all five. And, in time, creative methods may develop that don’t fit into any of these areas. But, for now, this conceptualisation provides a useful way to think and talk about creative research. This will help you to give full consideration to the methods you might use to answer your research questions.
It is also important to note that creativity in research is not limited to methods of data gathering or dissemination. This book will demonstrate that creative methods are available for use at all stages of the research process.
Abstract
The 21st century is a dynamic and exciting time for research methods.
Methodological boundaries are expanding across disciplines. Even in the few years since the first edition of this book, the field has developed and proliferated as researchers seek effective ways to address increasingly complex questions. This applies across the social sciences, arts and humanities, as well as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. For example, pure mathematics, long considered a numerical discipline based on deductive reasoning, has begun to experiment with experiments (Sørensen 2016: 140) and employ creative writing (Harron 2016: 1).
This second edition reconceptualises creative research methods into five key areas:
-
arts-based research;
-
embodied research (new as a key area in this edition);
-
research using technology;
-
multi-modal research1 (formerly mixed-methods research); and
-
transformative research frameworks (such as participatory, feminist, community-based, queer and asset-based methodologies).
These areas are not mutually exclusive; in this book you will find examples of research that draws on two, three, four or even all five. And, in time, creative methods may develop that don’t fit into any of these areas. But, for now, this conceptualisation provides a useful way to think and talk about creative research. This will help you to give full consideration to the methods you might use to answer your research questions.
It is also important to note that creativity in research is not limited to methods of data gathering or dissemination. This book will demonstrate that creative methods are available for use at all stages of the research process.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of boxes, figures and tables xi
- Notes on the author xv
- Foreword xvi
- Debts of gratitude xvii
- How this book can help 1
- Introducing creative research 5
- Creative research methods in practice 23
- Transformative research frameworks and Indigenous research 45
- Creative research methods and ethics 61
- Creative thinking 77
- Arts-based and embodied data gathering 101
- Technology-based and multi-modal data gathering 119
- Arts-based and embodied data analysis 135
- Technology-based and multi-modal data analysis 149
- Arts-based and embodied research reporting 163
- Technology-based and multi-modal research reporting 177
- Arts-based and embodied presentation 187
- Technology-based and multi-modal presentation 199
- From research into practice 215
- Conclusion 235
- Further reading 239
- References 241
- Index 285
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of boxes, figures and tables xi
- Notes on the author xv
- Foreword xvi
- Debts of gratitude xvii
- How this book can help 1
- Introducing creative research 5
- Creative research methods in practice 23
- Transformative research frameworks and Indigenous research 45
- Creative research methods and ethics 61
- Creative thinking 77
- Arts-based and embodied data gathering 101
- Technology-based and multi-modal data gathering 119
- Arts-based and embodied data analysis 135
- Technology-based and multi-modal data analysis 149
- Arts-based and embodied research reporting 163
- Technology-based and multi-modal research reporting 177
- Arts-based and embodied presentation 187
- Technology-based and multi-modal presentation 199
- From research into practice 215
- Conclusion 235
- Further reading 239
- References 241
- Index 285
