Creative Research Methods in Practice – serie

Over the past decades, ‘photovoice’ has emerged as a participatory and creative research method in which participants capture and discuss their reality through photographs. This indispensable ‘how-to’ book with exercises and visual aids takes novice and veteran researchers through the practicalities and ethics of applying this approach. Written by experienced teacher Nicole Brown, the book:- outlines the conceptual foundations and historical development of the approach; - redefines photovoice as a research method and as a framework; - explores how photovoice can be used in all stages of research from data collection to dissemination;- provides guidance and food for thought to get researchers started on their project.Each chapter ends with exercises that focus readers' learning and understanding by practically engaging them in the work presented throughout. The examples and visual aids will help them recognise all the details presented and represented in a photograph.For researchers who would like to try their hand at photovoice as a method or as a framework to foster a more participatory approach, this is the ultimate guide to kickstart their project.

Over the past decades, ‘photovoice’ has emerged as a participatory and creative research method in which participants capture and discuss their reality through photographs. This indispensable ‘how-to’ book with exercises and visual aids takes novice and veteran researchers through the practicalities and ethics of applying this approach. Written by experienced teacher Nicole Brown, the book:- outlines the conceptual foundations and historical development of the approach; - redefines photovoice as a research method and as a framework; - explores how photovoice can be used in all stages of research from data collection to dissemination;- provides guidance and food for thought to get researchers started on their project.Each chapter ends with exercises that focus readers' learning and understanding by practically engaging them in the work presented throughout. The examples and visual aids will help them recognise all the details presented and represented in a photograph.For researchers who would like to try their hand at photovoice as a method or as a framework to foster a more participatory approach, this is the ultimate guide to kickstart their project.

Discover how fiction can breathe life into your research.Fiction – in the form of everyday storytelling, prose, plays, films, folktales, and comics – can be powerful and resonant. This engaging book introduces the ways in which fiction can inform, inspire and enliven all kinds of research.Presenting a range of case studies and examples from diverse disciplines, this book explores how and why researchers have employed fiction and fictional techniques throughout the research process, including using fiction to communicate research findings. An essential primer to thinking creatively with fiction , the book:-discusses a range of theoretical perspectives on the use of fiction in research;-explores challenges and ethical questions for researchers using fiction;-offers practical advice, creative prompts and resources.Enabling the reader to reflect on how fiction might be used in their own research, this comprehensive introduction will help students and experienced researchers embark on their own research-based fiction projects in no time.

Discover how fiction can breathe life into your research.Fiction – in the form of everyday storytelling, prose, plays, films, folktales, and comics – can be powerful and resonant. This engaging book introduces the ways in which fiction can inform, inspire and enliven all kinds of research.Presenting a range of case studies and examples from diverse disciplines, this book explores how and why researchers have employed fiction and fictional techniques throughout the research process, including using fiction to communicate research findings. An essential primer to thinking creatively with fiction , the book:-discusses a range of theoretical perspectives on the use of fiction in research;-explores challenges and ethical questions for researchers using fiction;-offers practical advice, creative prompts and resources.Enabling the reader to reflect on how fiction might be used in their own research, this comprehensive introduction will help students and experienced researchers embark on their own research-based fiction projects in no time.

This practical handbook provides a step-by-step guide for students who are new to phenomenography.A qualitative research approach within the interpretivist paradigm, phenomenography explores the different ways in which humans conceive a phenomenon and ‘why’ and ‘how’ they do it. It is used in a wide range of academic subject areas from education to social work, physics and medicine. Today it is gaining popularity as a versatile and robust method with the aim of understanding other people’s perceptions.Our practical guide features:· advice on how to construct a phenomenographic research project;· a thorough overview of the approach’s origins and its evolution;· examples that show the influence it has across a range of subject and practice areas.This book will empower readers in making informed decisions regarding the suitability of the phenomenographic approach for their research projects and provide them with the necessary tools to embark on their research journey.

This practical handbook provides a step-by-step guide for students who are new to phenomenography.A qualitative research approach within the interpretivist paradigm, phenomenography explores the different ways in which humans conceive a phenomenon and ‘why’ and ‘how’ they do it. It is used in a wide range of academic subject areas from education to social work, physics and medicine. Today it is gaining popularity as a versatile and robust method with the aim of understanding other people’s perceptions.Our practical guide features:· advice on how to construct a phenomenographic research project;· a thorough overview of the approach’s origins and its evolution;· examples that show the influence it has across a range of subject and practice areas.This book will empower readers in making informed decisions regarding the suitability of the phenomenographic approach for their research projects and provide them with the necessary tools to embark on their research journey.

This pioneering guide explores podcasting as a powerful tool for data collection and knowledge production, demonstrating the value of the medium as a qualitative research method.The book introduces three novel approaches: podcasting as participatory action research, enabling collaboration and public engagement; sonic elicitation, using sound to evoke rich, affective responses in interviews and focus groups; and podcast ethnography, where audio recordings are both data and narrative.Key features include:• Practical guidance on designing and producing research podcasts;• In-depth examination of ethical considerations when working with sound and voice; and • Exploration of podcasting’s connection to longstanding traditions of orality in research.Grounded in theory and practice, this is a must-read for researchers looking to innovate by creatively and critically engaging with sound in their work.

This pioneering guide explores podcasting as a powerful tool for data collection and knowledge production, demonstrating the value of the medium as a qualitative research method.The book introduces three novel approaches: podcasting as participatory action research, enabling collaboration and public engagement; sonic elicitation, using sound to evoke rich, affective responses in interviews and focus groups; and podcast ethnography, where audio recordings are both data and narrative.Key features include:• Practical guidance on designing and producing research podcasts;• In-depth examination of ethical considerations when working with sound and voice; and • Exploration of podcasting’s connection to longstanding traditions of orality in research.Grounded in theory and practice, this is a must-read for researchers looking to innovate by creatively and critically engaging with sound in their work.

This is the essential guide to the innovative qualitative research technique of sandboxing.Originating from play therapy, sandboxing enables children, young people, and adults to create three-dimensional scenes using miniature figures and everyday objects in a sand-filled tray. Creating these sand scenes offers opportunities for individuals and groups to reflect on and represent memories, everyday experiences, and ideas about the future, which are then shared and discussed.Offering an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners, this comprehensive book:- introduces a creative and engaging approach to qualitative data generation;- features key international case studies, real-world examples, and thoughtful reflections on the method's strengths and limitations;- equips readers with the tools needed to effectively implement sandboxing in their research journey.By drawing on creativity, reflexivity, ethics and expertise this book unlocks sandboxing's potential to transform your research with an inventive and imaginative approach.

This is the essential guide to the innovative qualitative research technique of sandboxing.Originating from play therapy, sandboxing enables children, young people, and adults to create three-dimensional scenes using miniature figures and everyday objects in a sand-filled tray. Creating these sand scenes offers opportunities for individuals and groups to reflect on and represent memories, everyday experiences, and ideas about the future, which are then shared and discussed.Offering an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners, this comprehensive book:- introduces a creative and engaging approach to qualitative data generation;- features key international case studies, real-world examples, and thoughtful reflections on the method's strengths and limitations;- equips readers with the tools needed to effectively implement sandboxing in their research journey.By drawing on creativity, reflexivity, ethics and expertise this book unlocks sandboxing's potential to transform your research with an inventive and imaginative approach.

Poetic inquiry is an arts-based approach integrating the humanities and sciences to enhance the quality of social science research and its dissemination. This insightful guide sheds light on the transformative power of poetic inquiry in academic research. Blending poetry with scholarly work, it offers practical advice on crafting research poems, distinguishing them from literary poems and determining when and how to incorporate them into your studies. The book:-helps researchers to explore and express their research creatively;-emphasises diverse and decolonial viewpoints and paths to knowledge;-features methods, case studies, prompts and exercises from the Global South and North. Perfect for researchers eager to explore new dimensions of expression, this guide enriches all aspects of the research process.

Poetic inquiry is an arts-based approach integrating the humanities and sciences to enhance the quality of social science research and its dissemination. This insightful guide sheds light on the transformative power of poetic inquiry in academic research. Blending poetry with scholarly work, it offers practical advice on crafting research poems, distinguishing them from literary poems and determining when and how to incorporate them into your studies. The book:-helps researchers to explore and express their research creatively;-emphasises diverse and decolonial viewpoints and paths to knowledge;-features methods, case studies, prompts and exercises from the Global South and North. Perfect for researchers eager to explore new dimensions of expression, this guide enriches all aspects of the research process.

Interactive documentaries, or i-docs, are web based, multimedia documentaries that immerse audiences through dynamic, interactive platforms. This book unlocks the value of i-docs as a creative research method, providing an engaging guide on how to use i-docs to examine and communicate research subjects. With examples, conceptual discussion, and practical advice, the book explores how i-docs can illuminate topics including temporalities, power and space, affect and feeling, freedom, and epistemic justice. The book addresses i-docs as a digital form but also shows that even just planning an i-doc on paper can open up new analytical perspectives. Key features of the book include: - An easy to use template for planning your own i-doc;- Advice on how researchers can ‘think with i-docs’ without even producing one;- Discussion of methodological work with i-docs including participatory i-doc making;Insights into a range of examples of commercial, activist and research i-docs from around the world.This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, community researchers, creatives and activists who want to enlist and ignite the possibilities of i-docs.

Interactive documentaries, or i-docs, are web based, multimedia documentaries that immerse audiences through dynamic, interactive platforms. This book unlocks the value of i-docs as a creative research method, providing an engaging guide on how to use i-docs to examine and communicate research subjects. With examples, conceptual discussion, and practical advice, the book explores how i-docs can illuminate topics including temporalities, power and space, affect and feeling, freedom, and epistemic justice. The book addresses i-docs as a digital form but also shows that even just planning an i-doc on paper can open up new analytical perspectives. Key features of the book include: - An easy to use template for planning your own i-doc;- Advice on how researchers can ‘think with i-docs’ without even producing one;- Discussion of methodological work with i-docs including participatory i-doc making;Insights into a range of examples of commercial, activist and research i-docs from around the world.This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, community researchers, creatives and activists who want to enlist and ignite the possibilities of i-docs.

Qualitative interviews offer rich opportunities to explore people's lived experiences, emotions and perspectives with depth and nuance.This accessible and practical guide equips researchers with innovative techniques to enhance interview-based research. From incorporating objects, documents and sensory prompts to choosing the optimal interview format – plus drawing inspiration from fields like therapy and journalism – the book introduces creative strategies for generating more meaningful, credible data that centres the participant in every interaction.Key features include:• Support for researchers to deepen dialogue, connection and participant empowerment;• Emphasis on the co-production of meaning, emotional and reflective engagement and authentic research encounters; and • Insights and case studies from contemporary methods and lessons across diverse disciplines.Ideal for postgraduate students, early career researchers and practitioners, this book demonstrates how to design interviews that are not only ethically grounded but also genuinely engaging, facilitating richer, multimodal and culturally sensitive qualitative research.