ABSTRACT
This chapter presents qualitative research carried out as practice-based, naturalistic field studies. Among the many qualitative approaches relevant to art therapy, this chapter focuses on clinical qualitative research from a rich case record of therapeutic outcomes, process notes or recordings, interviews, and creative, artistic activities. Qualitative methodology is used in systematic case study research, grounded theory, and ethnographic investigations into the art therapy experience. Because cultural competence requires knowledge of both the research problem and the field, this chapter also discusses how art therapists design and conduct culturally congruent research. The type of case study that is most familiar to art therapists is the clinical case written as a narrative account of treatment progress. Clinical casework is excellent for developing efficacy and skills that can transfer to research, including rapport building and attending to multiple levels of meaning.
