Participant Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Social Justice: A Review of Meng Tian’s Arts-Based Research Methods for Educational Researchers

Authors

Niway Ayalew Adimasu, Debre Berhan UniversityFollow

Abstract

In reviewing Arts-Based Research Methods for Educational Researchers by Meng Tian (2023), I found a priceless resource for contemporary scholars wishing to add cutting-edge arts-based techniques to their qualitative research inquiries. This book offers a thorough examination of how artistic mediums like poetry, theater, and visual arts can be used to investigate the emotional, psychological, and cultural aspects of education that conventional research frequently ignores. It does this by fusing theoretical understanding with helpful advice. The book focuses on participant empowerment, inclusivity, and ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations highlights the book’s commitment to social justice, making it especially relevant in today’s educational context. Through concrete examples and case studies, the book illustrates how arts-based methods can be applied in diverse educational settings, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. This practical emphasis makes the book particularly beneficial for novice and seasoned researchers, offering tools to navigate the moral and emotional complexities inherent in arts-based research. The book also addresses contemporary challenges; encouraging researchers to adapt and innovate in their approaches to educational inquiry. These are remarkable aspects of the book that I particularly valued in my review.

Keywords

arts-based research, educational inquiry, qualitative research methodology

Author Bio(s)

Niway Ayalew Adimasu is a lecturer in the department of Accounting and Finance at Debre Berhan University. He has published four articles on topics related to accounting and finance. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance at Jimma University. Please direct correspondence to neway5450@gmail.com

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the course instructor and advisor Dr Kenenisa Lemi

Publication Date

7-14-2025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2025.8206

Recommended APA Citation

Adimasu, N. A. (2025). Participant empowerment, inclusivity, and social justice: A Review of Meng Tian’s Arts-based research methods for educational researchers. The Qualitative Report, 30(6), 3912-3919. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2025.8206