Toward a creative and imaginative research approach: Collage as a method of inquiry in social work

Qualitative research in social work employs various scientific approaches to explore the diversity and depth of human life, with interviews and observations being commonly used. Situated within an arts-based research (ABR) framework, this study explores participants’ experiences of collage-making, and how collage can be used as a methodological approach for collecting empirical data. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Collage: a dynamic visual language in art and communication; (2) Collage: a method for reflecting, sharing, and bonding; (3) Collage: the ethics of associative creation; (4) Collage: the prerequisites of time, space, and place. Working with collage can be highly participatory and exploratory, developing meaningfulness, imagination, and new insights for both researcher and participant. It promotes an egalitarian and holistic approach to listening to people, enabling them to convey their experiences using visual, verbal, and metaphorical language. Nevertheless, the process is time-consuming given that collage-making lacks a distinct endpoint or limitation. Using this method requires time, participant commitment, researcher involvement, and a trustworthy workgroup. Moreover, the free and associative nature of creating collage, alongside the act of cutting pieces from one’s life and assembling them into a new whole, raises ethical questions. In conclusion, collage as a method of inquiry for collecting empirical data creates promising conditions for capturing stories of people’s lives, aspirations, struggles, and experiences of social processes and political concepts. With appropriate conditions in place, the process can be a meaningful experience for all involved.