Member-only story
Arts-Based Research as a Qualitative Methodology
Arts-based research (ABR) is a growing methodological approach within the qualitative research realm. It embraces the use of artistic processes, forms, or expressions as primary modes of inquiry and communication. While conventional research methodologies often emphasize verbal or numerical data, ABR pivots to the aesthetic, using art to explore, understand, and convey complex phenomena. The rise of ABR in recent decades stems from a recognition that traditional qualitative methods might not be sufficient to capture the complexity, depth, and multidimensionality of human experiences (Leavy, 2015).
Art has always been a medium through which individuals explore, understand, and express their world. As such, integrating artistic processes into research provides a nuanced, holistic, and potentially more human-centered approach to inquiry.
Multimodal Inquiry
ABR can encompass a wide range of art forms, including visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography), performing arts (dance, theater, music), and literary arts (poetry, narrative). Each mode offers unique avenues to delve into and represent experiences, perceptions, and emotions. Multimodal inquiry, as situated within the realm of arts-based research (ABR), is an intricate approach that harnesses a variety of artistic and sensory modes to both conduct and…
