Open AccessDigital Storytelling in Research: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Adèle de Jager,
Andrea Fogarty,
Anna Tewson,
Caroline Lenette,
Katherine M. Boydell
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2970
Subject(s) - storytelling , digital storytelling , context (archaeology) , narrative , inclusion (mineral) , thematic analysis , participatory action research , multimedia , computer science , sociology , qualitative research , art , social science , anthropology , paleontology , literature , biology
Digital storytelling refers to a 2 to 5 minute audio-visual clip combining photographs, voice-over narration, and other audio (Lambert, 2009) originally applied for community development, artistic and therapeutic purposes, and more recently adapted as an arts-based research method. To date, no systematic review of the use of digital storytelling in a research capacity, to generate information about a phenomenon has been conducted. Accordingly, our aim was to provide a systematic review of digital storytelling in research. The review identified 25 articles representing 23 discrete studies that met inclusion criteria. A thematic analysis of results indicated that digital storytelling in research was especially appropriate for use with marginalised groups, and was most commonly used in this context. There was some variation in the extent to which digital storytelling in research adhered to the principles with which it was originally developed. Surprisingly, although digital storytelling provides a ready-made knowledge translation product, few research projects employed the digital stories generated to this end. Across research projects, participants reported several benefits of digital storytelling. While some disadvantages were noted, overall, these were outweighed by the benefits of using a respectful, participatory research practice.