Tag: creative research

Using Play-Doh as a creative research method – a hands-on workshop

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

By Dr Sarah McLaughlin, University of Bristol

Recently, I had the pleasure of facilitating a hands-on workshop titled “Using Play-Doh as a Creative Research Method” for an audience of doctoral students, educators, and researchers. This was organised by the Language, Literacies and Education Network (LLEN)  as part of the Bristol Conversations in Education series at the School of Education. The workshop introduced participants to the possibilities of using Play-Doh not just as a pedagogical strategy, but also as a legitimate method for qualitative research. (more…)

Creative methods unlocked my lockdown research

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

By Sarah McLaughlin, BA(Hons), MSC. PGCE, School of Education, University of Bristol (Doctorate in Education student)

I commenced my Doctorate in Education journey in September 2018 – pre Covid! Little did I know that a pandemic would join me along the way and threaten to hinder my research.

When Covid rules put a halt on face-to-face data collection, I had big decisions to make. Should I wait it out until restrictions lift? After all, this would blow over after a few months, right?! Or do I change my methods? I needed to find a way of giving my participants a voice and allowing them to tell me their stories and reflections so that I could ask questions and understand how they constructed their return to education as mature students. (more…)