Film-based creative arts enquiry: qualitative researchers as auteurs.

Wood, Martin; Brown, Sally

doi:10.1108/14439881211222787

Authors

Martin Wood

Sally Brown

Abstract

Purpose: inspired by an exciting revival of interest in the working methods and processes of the creative arts we
make use of the auteur approach to film production to further develop knowledge about sensuous methodologies
in qualitative research.
Design/methodology/approach: an exegesis of our particular experiences in producing and disseminating a
short documentary film is used to construct a framework from which to analyse affective modes of engagement
within the parameters of qualitative research.
Findings: qualitative researchers are characterised as creative artists who bring their precise aesthetic choice to
bear on an audience through a mix of technical competence, distinguishable personality and interior meaning.
Practical implications: one way for qualitative research to have affective impact is to use the working methods
and procedures of the creative arts.
Social implications: a research culture is required where risk is permissible and engagement with the creative
arts is given greater recognition in future qualitative projects.
Originality/value: as a mode of creative arts enquiry filmmaking can allow a degree of the emotional meaning
and feeling within a study to come through into the analysis and the viewer’s/reader’s affective experience. This is often difficult to come by in more scientifically driven research approaches.

Citation

Wood, M., & Brown, S. (2012). Film-based creative arts enquiry: qualitative researchers as auteurs. Qualitative Research Journal, 12, 130-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/14439881211222787

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	May 16, 2012
Publication Date	Jun 4, 2012
Deposit Date	Apr 20, 2016
Publicly Available Date	Apr 20, 2016
Print ISSN	1443-9883
Electronic ISSN	1448-0980
Publisher	RMIT Publishing
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	12
Pages	130-147
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1108/14439881211222787
Keywords	Qualitative research; film; auteur theory; creative arts enquiry; documentary film; lines of flight; research work; visual methods;
Public URL	http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9892
Publisher URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14439881211222787