Practice as Research Methodology in the Creative Arts: A Systematic Literature Review

Scientific research, with its emphasis on objectivity, rationality, and principles such as experimental verification, repeatability, and falsification, often falls short in capturing the subjective and fluid knowledge derived from lived experiences. In contrast, the “Practice as Research” (PaR) methodology embraces experiential modes of knowing, including tacit knowledge, embodied cognition, and performative understanding, fostering the generation and dissemination of new insights through practice. However, despite its focus on practice, PaR remains theoretically under-explored as an emerging methodology, necessitating further investigation into its conceptual foundations. This review identifies the need to establish artistic practice as a rigorous and systematic form of inquiry within academic research. The study applies PRISMA, ensuring the creative and interpretive nature of the inquiry is grounded in a transparent and structured review methodology. Drawing on 25 qualitative articles sourced from three databases (Taylor and Francis Online, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), this study demonstrates how artistic inquiry through the creative process, multi-modal epistemologies, performative paradigms, and theorizing practice can produce substantial new insights and effectively communicate them within academic contexts.