Advances in Biographical Methods : Creative Applications

Advances in Biographical Methods: Creative Applications reflects the current status of biographical research as an intrinsic part of qualitative methods as used across the main substantive fields in social sciences. Biographical research has developed from the collection and interpretation of the life story interview and range of ‘personal documents’ (e.g. letters, diaries) to, in recent years, interlinking with multi-media, and arts based and other creative multi-sensory methods. The book reflects these exciting developments by mapping the field and outlining ‘creative’ cross-disciplinary research which will stimulate the interest of new and experienced researchers.

Rooted in a long and diverse genealogy, biographical approaches have developed from a focus upon a single story, a ‘life story’ and personal documents (e.g. diaries), to encompass (more routinely) autobiographical secondary and archival research and analysis - as well as multi-media, arts based creative multi-sensory methods. Biographical Research and practices as part of human understanding helps people to make sense of what has been and what is happening in their lives, cultures, communities and societies.

in biographical methods. It demonstrates the momentum with which they areas are developing as a field of scholarship, especially in relation to creative innovations and applications, such as in new forms of interview and other practices, and debates on its interlinking with art, performance and digital methods.