Developing and Adjusting a New Arts-Based Method (Graphic Vignettes) to Study Sensitive Topics

Session Type: Workshop

Abstract

Leaders:
Daria Khanolainen, University of Jyväskylä
Elena Semenova, Kazan Federal University

The workshop will present a new arts-based method, graphic vignettes, designed to explore sensitive research topics. Our workshop aims to demonstrate how we conceptualized and designed the new method to explore bullying and how we are now adjusting our graphic vignettes to focus on cyber-bullying. Arts-based research methodologies were born out of psychological therapy and counselling, which makes them powerful tools in sensitive research, as they help participants feel safe to face and work through negative emotions, unpleasant memories, and even trauma. Creative activities facilitate the exploration of non-linguistic dimensions, expression of the unsayable, and the uncovering of new layers of meaning. Having this in mind, we created a new qualitative method that facilitates creative reflection helping participants not only with locating deep-seated thoughts and realizing unexpressed feelings but also with articulating them. In the course of the workshop, we intend to show how new sets of graphic vignettes can be designed and administered to explore a variety of sensitive research topics taking into account various contextual specificities. Indeed, we intend to highlight how the new method can be effectively used for comparative and international research. Participants of this workshop will gain an understanding of how qualitative methods can be conceived, developed and adjusted. We believe methodological innovation is extremely important in child-centered research - as new participatory and empowering methods are beginning to emerge, we are finding ways to move from conducting studies on children towards research with children.

Sub Unit

• Solicited Content: Qualitative Research Workshop

Leaders

• Daria Khanolainen, University of Jyväskylä

• Elena Semenova, Kazan Federal University