Digital Stories as Data: An Etymological and Philosophical Exploration of Cocreated Data in Philosophical Hermeneutic Health Research. (23rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lang, Michael; Laing, Catherine; Ewashen, Carol; Moules, Nancy
• Is Part Of: International journal of qualitative methods. Volume 19(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-23
• Subjects: methodology -- digital storytelling -- art-based research -- data collection; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Qualitative Research -- Periodicals; Qualitative research; Social sciences -- Philosophy; Social sciences -- Research; Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1609406920913673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1609-4069

Abstract

Many research methods emphasize procedures to minimize potential bias introduced by measurement tools, environmental factors, and researchers themselves. Using the example of digital storytelling, in which short films are cocreated between a researcher and participant, we examine the possibility of cocreated stories as data in philosophical hermeneutic (PH) health research. The etymological explication of the words "data" and "story" brings the meaning of these words closer together while an exploration of the ontological and epistemological assumptions of PH indicate that cocreated digital stories can be viewed as data in a similar way to traditional verbatim interview transcripts used in other types of qualitative health research. Using digital storytelling as a data generation tool in PH health research may help provide a deeper understanding of health-related phenomena by cultivating understanding through genuine conversation, addressing the challenges of language, and apprehending the immediacy of understanding.