Using documentary to explore the interwoven strands of self-concept and happiness through work: Findings and reflections

How does who you think you are influence what you do vocationally? Exploration of this led to eight participants agreeing to identify and consider how their self-concept affected their work satisfaction. Their responses formed the basis of “Project Happiness – The Lived Experience”, which comprised a written report and an accompanying audio-visual documentary. Presenting the study through the medium of a digital audio-video documentary allowed exploration of a more creative way of presenting the research findings and made the data accessible and seemingly more meaningful to a wider audience than traditional paper-based reporting. This qualitative investigation used a phenomenologically informed narrative approach incorporating the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths Survey. Findings led to all participants acknowledging the importance of “self-satisfaction”, “following one's own path”, “developing a strong knowledge base”, and “being authentic” (true to self) in their lives and work. This paper brings this arts-based enquiry research method to the field and discusses its epistemological and pragmatic value.