Practice-based research is a research approach where the researcher undertakes creative practice (e.g., art, design, performance) as a core method of inquiry. It examines how creative work is produced, or how particular methods influence the creative process itself.
The researcher actively engages in creative practice to investigate questions relating to the practice or the resulting creative work. It's not simply using creative work to illustrate a point; instead, the doing of the creative work is central to the research process and the generation of new knowledge.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
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Focus on Creative Process or Artifact: The research questions can center on either the creative process itself (e.g., exploring the impact of specific materials on a sculpture's form) or on the nature and meaning of the creative artifact (e.g., investigating how a performance piece reflects contemporary social anxieties).
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Researcher as Practitioner: The researcher is both a researcher and a practitioner, using their skills and insights as a creative practitioner to inform and shape the research.
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Iterative and Reflective: The process is often iterative, involving cycles of creation, reflection, analysis, and further creation. The researcher critically reflects on their practice and uses these reflections to guide the subsequent stages of the creative process.
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Knowledge Generation: The research aims to generate new knowledge that is grounded in and emerges from the creative practice. This knowledge may be tacit, explicit, or both. It can contribute to theoretical understanding, practical techniques, or artistic innovation.
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Examples:
- A composer exploring the effect of specific microtonal tunings on emotional responses in listeners by composing and analyzing pieces using those tunings.
- A ceramicist investigating how different firing techniques affect the structural integrity and aesthetic qualities of clay sculptures.
- A dancer researching the impact of improvisation techniques on embodied knowledge and performance through performance and reflection.
- A filmmaker exploring how specific camera angles and editing techniques influence the viewer's perception of a character's emotional state.
In essence, practice-based research uses creative practice as a primary means of inquiry, leading to new understandings of both the practice itself and the world around it.
