Elissa-Kate Jay Reviewer, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Christopher Patterson Associate professor, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Lorna Moxham Professor, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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• To examine a new successfully used arts-based research method that has not yet been made known
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• To recognise the need for arts-based research methods that promote social justice
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• To explore a new research method that other researchers can now use
Background There is an increasing need to develop innovative ways of collecting data that empower vulnerable people, such as those who use mental health services.
Aim To describe a novel, arts-based research method called the Jay-Canvas Artboard Approach (Jay-CAA), which involves a group collectively writing short descriptions on a canvas artboard about their experiences.
Discussion The authors asked participants in two studies to use coloured pens to write decorative comments on shared canvas artboards. They then analysed this data using thematic analysis.
Conclusion The Jay-CAA enabled the creation and collection of data in a time-effective way that was unproblematic for recruiting and retaining participants.
Implications for practice The Jay-CAA method enables research participants to summarise and express their experiences.
Nurse Researcher.
doi: 10.7748/nr.2025.e1968
Peer review
This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence
ekjay@acenet.com.au
Conflict of interest
Recovery Camp is a research and social impact programme that has been supported by the University of Wollongong to explore its potential as a social enterprise. Authors C Patterson and L Moxham are directors of Recovery Camp Pty Ltd. No funds, grants or other support were received for this study
Jay E-K, Patterson C, Moxham L (2025) The Jay-Canvas Artboard Approach: an innovative arts-based research method. Nurse Researcher. doi: 10.7748/nr.2025.e1968
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge attendees of Recovery Camp. Thank you to the participants of these studies
Published online: 10 July 2025
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