Arts Based Research

"An immediate classic! Authored by the two scholars who have established arts-based inquiry as an important form of inquiry, this new book is foundational to the field. It is based on decades of cutting-edge work by Eisner and Barone who have developed the approach of arts based research to its current status of an acclaimed, richly generative methodology, with a compelling presence in major research conferences and journals. The book deals with such issues as what is (and what is not) arts based research; why do arts based research; who can do arts based research; who the audience can be; how arts based research may be both political and ethical; criteria for assessing arts based research; and the place for theory in arts-based research. The book we have been waiting for years. Beautifully and carefully written, it is a genuine tour de force." ~ Liora Bresler, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

"Eisner and Barone provide a formal explication for arts based research that is both timely and overdue. Their book does an exceptional job of describing the growth of arts based research in the social sciences and education. This work not only encourages researchers to think in new and fresh ways about their work, but it also serves as a primary text to introduce the underlying philosophy and potential contributions of arts based research to a range of professional fields. By cogently arguing for the use of aesthetic forms, Eisner and Barone challenge conventional notions of research. Their book inspires as well as informs."

"The book, written by the two most preeminent scholars in arts based research, is rich with examples of arts based research as well as with analyses of those examples. In this way, Barone and Eisner show rather than tell why those particular studies are important, how they are arts based research and the reasons the researchers engaged in their studies. For beginning scholars, the interwoven theories, purposes and rich examples will help them respond to similar questions about their own arts based research."

A very useful textbook to support students who wish to engage in arts based research

I hope to create a course focused on arts based research and if I can offer such a course, I will use this book. I found it most helpful. My current course will include some introduction to arts based research, but not enough to justify requiring the whole text. I plan to make the text available at library reserves and suggest students read certain chapters.

A text that makes a definitive argument for art based research and justifies our raison d'etre. It is a contemporary and timely book with very useful examples that give the research context. New media and traditional forms are all covered.

This book is an important resource to inform methods which embrace the inclusion of self in the research. It provides a guide to support critical appraisal of such research designs. Supports the validity of more expressive research methods.

I have a master's student in fine arts who is going conducting an Directed study with me and using this book as a foundation for his work.

Used as non-required text

Arts based methods is not yet introduced in the curriculum. The book will be considered for future project work, as an experiment.