Oldal 102 [102]
OCR
Part III. Digital Media and Storytelling in Research ] 101 Arts-based participatory action research is a gualitative research strategy that is particularly suitable for enabling vulnerable respondents to articulate unbiased information about themselves and conducting research on sensitive topics (e.g. political conflict situations, financial background, gender, national, or religious identity) while sharing a creative experience. Artsbased participatory action research methods differ from action research in that the researcher not only actively participates and acts as an observer in the group process, but also mentors the whole process through promoting artistic creativity. Such research is based on the creative collaboration of the participants and the facilitating presence of the researcher and provides added value for the researcher, providing them with the possibility to analyze interprocess dialogues, body language and finished products, thus allowing for the complex exploration of the research topic. The process has a transformative effect on the participants, leading to direct psychological growth as well as increased competence and personal development. Through artistic activities, and repressed emotions and thoughts are brought to the surface through dialogue. The whole process is highly reflective and collaborative, involving both individual and group development and promoting cultural change (Horvath & Oblath, 2015; cf. Lanszki, 2020). In narrative-focused art-based participatory action research methods, the researcher examines the process of narration, including the circumstances, motivations, levels of storytelling and the product itself. Such methods include Photo Voice, DST or Forum Theatre. In the Photo Voice method, participants take photos of a relevant issue which they then interpret. Through the images and the narratives attached to them, participants present to each other hidden or overlooked phenomena in mainstream society, which helps the group to identify social issues (Oblath & Csosz6, 2017). The method reveals individual and shared experiences, allowing participants to discuss the differences between their experiences and analyze the stories through the images. The problems articulated in the specific photo-narratives are then addressed by the group members as they collectively try to propose solutions, potentially through the development of action plans (Wang & Burris, 1997). The visual and verbal narratives can also be published in online or offline exhibitions. Photo Voice can be used as a tool for both research and pedagogy. A lecturer in health sociology in South Africa conducted an action research study using Photo Voice to explore inequalities in access to health services by gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic background (specifically educational background and living environment). Due to the nature of action research, the researcher was part of both the pedagogical and research process. Freires (1972) principles of critical consciousness, empowerment, and reflective knowledge construction were used to conduct participatory photo-voice sessions. The students (n = 334) took photographs related to the given topic and wrote texts for them. While constructing the story, the students linked their narratives to
