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

Wood, Martin; Brown, Sally

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