Possible Applications of Arts-Based Research in Creatology Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the possibilities of using Arts-Based Research (ABR) in creatology studies. This method, which is sometimes also called a paradigm, attracts an increasing attention of researchers from various disciplines. The author presents examples of studies on issues close to creatology conducted using ABR in Poland and abroad, which lead to the conclusion that the method is highly useful for creatology studies. The work analyzes properties of ABR, which are particularly valuable from the viewpoint of research interests of creatology, such as formulating new research problems, stimulating scientists’ motivation, bringing the roles of the researcher and the subjects closer, empowerment of subjects, relationship with art therapy, attractive communication of research results to the social environment, involvement in social issues, and possibility of generating social change. The paper also discusses changing relationships between science and art, because the fundamental property of ABR, from which all unique advantages of that method result but which, at the same time, raises doubts in scientists with a traditional approach, is the fact that it blurs the distinction between those two areas of human activity. Possible uses of ABR in specific research situations in creatology as well as possible related problems are analyzed. The author concludes that ABR may be an answer to the need of methodological search in creatology on condition that one adopts a courageous and unconventional research attitude and is ready to accept certain methodological risk.