The Use of Drama for Exploring Research Questions Within Master Theses in Psychosocial Work-A Qualitative Study of a Pedagogical Intervention in Health and Welfare Education.

Abstract

Background: In this study, we have used drama as a pedagogical strategy to facilitate students work with their research questions related to their master thesis in psychosocial work. This strategy creates and promotes a transdisciplinary team approach, as the group of students represents a variety of professions with different perspectives and creates an interdisciplinary discussion.

Aim: To describe and analyse the use of drama and Enhanced Forum Theatre (EFT) as a teaching strategy to activate the student's practice-based knowledge when exploring challenges in various psychosocial fields to identify and define research questions for their master theses.

Method: A qualitative approach is used, consisting of the researchers' participatory and field observations of a one-day drama workshop. Three role plays were prepared and performed as EFT.

Results: The staging of EFT from real life experiences made professional knowledge available for group discussion and analysis. The process induced a transdisciplinary exploration of identified challenges together with possible research questions being elaborated upon. Issues of power, marginalisation, vulnerability and empowerment in the psychosocial fields became visible and tangible in a direct and relevant way across the plays.

Value: To our knowledge, EFT has not been applied before with the objective to develop research questions for master's theses in health and welfare studies/psychosocial work.