This unit will briefly present the specific methodological approaches to studies in the domain of socially engaged art, and will describe some of the main challenges in this research domain. Some methodological solutions, which can be adapted to the specific contexts and structures of socially engaged art projects are also presented.
The unit describes the study, the aim of which was to collect new evidence, and to field-test how socially-engaged arts influence participants as well as the public through a mixed methods approach. The unit refers to studies conducted around the project Suitable Citizens (see below), carried out by AMASS in Malta.
Content list:
3.1 Study aims
3.2 Methodological approach
3.3 Data collection and analysis
3.4 Presentation of the results
Case study: Suitable Citizens
The project Suitable Citizens brought together a group of participants from different African countries and local artists and educators to produce various artefacts: photographs, screen printed tote bags, scarves, face masks and a large group textile artwork mixing stencilling with collage and painting.
The project was a collaboration with the local branch of the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta – an NGO which works with migrants to provide practical support and advocate for their rights in Malta. JRS brought participants to the project through their networks, taking note of potential participants’ language, availability and interest in creativity.
Participants of the project Suitable Citizens working on a textile piece.
Photo: Elisa von Brockdorff
Activity 3.1
Read some more about the project Suitable Citizens, and have a look at its documentation here: https://amassproject.weebly.com/suitable_citizens.html
Reflection 3.1
Think about the specific community you reflected on in Reflective Task 2.1. What challenges do you think a researcher could encounter when collecting data on a project with this community? Do you think the researcher would prioritise quantitative or qualitative data? Spend some time thinking about this, and take notes on your thoughts.
Activity 3.2
Now that you have watched the MOOC and reflected on its content, try to answer the multiple choice questions based on the unit.
References
Deutsche Welle. (06.05.2022). Racism in Germany is part of everyday life. https://www.dw.com/en/racism-in-germany-is-part-of-everyday-life/a-61700339
Special Eurobarometer. (2015). Discrimination in the EU in 2015. Special Eurobarometer, 437. European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. https://www.accem.es/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/resumen-ebs_437_sum_eng.pdf
Taylor, A., & Raykov, M. (2020). Towards Critical and Dialogical Mixed Methods Resarch: Reflections on Our Journey. In Doing critical and creative research in adult education (pp. 127-137). Brill. https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004420755/BP000015.xml
LAST SLIDE: Additional Reading Materials
Leavy, P. (2017). Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts‐Based, and Community‐Based Participatory Research. The Guilford Press.
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
EVALUATION | Multiple choice
Now that you have watched the MOOC and reflected on its content, try to answer the multiple choice questions based on Community-based theatre.