Handbook of Arts-Based Research

“The Handbook presents a collection of innovative essays that show the results that can be achieved through ABR with its variety of different perspectives….The sharing of experience makes the Handbook a useful collection of practical ‘how-to’ articles, which help to plant seeds of inspiration in the minds of other researchers who are considering making use of ABR.”

—International Journal of Arts Education (on the first edition)


“In its second edition, this user-friendly work features updated references and examples across nine multifaceted sections, with new chapters on global perspectives, critical approaches, and more. The Handbook combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, addressing essential topics such as evaluation, writing, ethics, and publishing. It equips researchers with innovative tools and methods for seeing, thinking, and communicating, using forms ranging from novels and screenplays to visual arts and multimedia. This volume highlights the potential of ABR to challenge stereotypes, cultivate empathy, and amplify marginalized voices. It is a vital resource for fostering creativity and innovation across research communities.”

—P. Bruce Uhrmacher, PhD, Morgridge College of Education (Emeritus), University of Denver


“Like the authoritative first edition, the second edition of this handbook includes innovative contributions from distinguished international scholars and artists. Each chapter offers creative, rigorous methods for investigating and documenting the human condition in intriguing ways. Students in the social sciences, education, health care, business, communication, and the arts will find inspiration and guidance. This state-of-the-art resource continues to broaden the landscape and literature of qualitative research through its exemplary methodologies for representing social insight.”

—Johnny Saldaña, MFA, School of Music, Dance, and Theatre (Emeritus), Arizona State University


“Another milestone in the evolution of ABR, the second edition of this handbook continues to inspire and inform. Leavy firmly locates ABR as a paradigmatic way of knowing and understanding. The volume is rich with examples across genres and disciplines. Written and presented with careful attention to language, chapters strike a balance between strong theoretical positionings and vivid illustrations of process and form. Reading the Handbook may very well be a transformative experience—readers are introduced to a world of possibilities in/through research.”

—Ardra Cole, EdD, Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada


“The expanded second edition of the Handbook is a valuable text for a range of audiences, from students searching for an entry point into the field to seasoned scholars in need of a comprehensive resource. Covering a wide array of methods, genres, areas of study, and perspectives, this reader-friendly guide will certainly be useful for those interested in research that aims to transcend disciplinary boundaries, dissolve tired dichotomies, and break new ground.”

—James Christopher Head, PhD, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, University of West Georgia