Reimagining Doctoral Research
Documentary Filmmaking to Advance Social Change
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.516Keywords:
alternative dissertation, non-traditional doctoral candidates, social change, documentary filmmaking research methodAbstract
Documentary filmmaking is presented as a viable research component to doctoral programs in education that center social change. Documentary filmmaking is an established and valid qualitative research option that utilizes academic research skills, critical analysis, and creativity to convey significant findings regarding social issues to a broad audience. The documentary filmmaking format provides doctoral candidates meaningful ways to represent themselves and their specific perspectives in relation to the identified problems of practice. The benefits of utilizing documentary filmmaking as a research method include recording authentic voices of individuals directly associated with the problem of practice, thereby effectively elucidating nuances of the challenges as experienced and spotlighting potential solutions to address the specific problem. Other benefits of this alternative method include broader dissemination, more expansive viewership, and serving as a model form of research to advance social change.
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