Creative methods in qualitative interviews with higher education students: a graph sketching and photo-card activity

In education research, qualitative research methods have gained attention because they allow the investigation of several people-related issues that cannot be investigated using quantitative methods. Though qualitative and quantitative research methods lies on separate continuum, they all aimed at identifying problems using different approach. This study explains the usefulness of using creative method qualitative approaches in an effort to obtain quality data for the study. The purpose of this paper is to introduce readers with some of the creative methods that can be applied, which is not only can actively engage informants during the research process but also to more fully aware of their perceptions, experiences, feelings and life events. Data were collected among 24 final year engineering student using semi-structured interview, integrated with two creative activities namely the use of graph sketching activity and photo-card activity. The purpose of these activities are to deepening the exploration activities and understandings of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors that influence the retention and success of engineering students at higher education institutions. Data were analysed using a thematic coding process and ATLAS.ti software was used to assist the coding process. Using the creative methods in this study have been proved to be an effective strategy to extract quality data from the interview process where an intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of the students can be explained and expanded in more detailed