Aims of the research:
Self discovery
Develop practice-based knowledge
Relate to other professionals
QUALITATIVE APPROACH: "stresses the human element of research." (Reader 6, 2016)
Part of my inquiry is looking at impact on professional relationships so this approach, i hope, will help to expand my networks in the working environment. It is an explanatory and exploratory approach, which often uses words and allows for development in our understanding. Collecting qualitative data provides for a more personal and valuable experience. We can do this by making notes, video or audio recording.
Research should be:
VALID - be relevant, truthful and come to logical conclusions
RELIABLE - approach to research activities should be consistent
GENERALISED - can my small scale inquiry be applicable to other situations? Arts based research is considered cross disciplinary and looks at various art forms. I believe my inquiry surrounding interdisciplinary skills for creative success and the impact on relationships,can certainly be applied to other art forms and experts. Generalisability increase research value by not limiting it to Musical Theatre, we don't want it to be situative.
Qualitative research is "INTERPRETATIVISTIC" (Mason, 2002) Looks at how the social world is: interperated, understood, experienced, produced and constituted. We come to understandings from the research rather than identifying patterns within it.
"The researcher becomes one of the tools of inquiry, and must reflexively be aware of their own positioning and biases." (Mason, 2002) This could be making ourselves aware of leading questions for example.
Using a combination of methods in work based research provides validity and support for any findings, which in turn makes it more reliable. Using several tools of inquiry to examine the same issue is
called ‘triangulation'. (Bell, 2005). It allows for comparison.
Common pitfalls of research :
Vague and ill defined aims
Lacking detail in the research design
Over ambitious, unrealistic with scope of activities and time scale
(Fox, Martin & Green, 2007)
From the above, i know that i need to be aware of point 2 and 3. Looking back to the Module 1 hand in - there was so much i wanted to say and do that i worked myself to the absolute bone and comprimsed detail to fit as many things in as possible
i believe that conducting a professsional inquiry is like learning a 'cover' in my environment of a Musiacal Theatre Production. You often start by studying the character and learning the lines. You would then observe the person you are covering in action, ask them any questions for clarification on entrances/exits/blocking. After that is likely that you'd rehearse and gain feedback from others as well as reflect internally. Similarly to conducting research you would be respectful of where you observe them from to prevent distraction/minimise pressure. You would also be considerate of asking quetions at appropriate times - not during a show for example. After all, there is a time and a place.
Once secure with the material, it may be that you expriment with different approaches or intentions to lines, and rehearse dance routines with different people. This so you can adapt your work and discover what is most successful for you personally, your co-workers and the audience.
Data Collection Tools
Doing a practitioner inquiry and conducting work based research enables us to gather evidence from primary sources. The data we collect should be PURPOSIVE. In other words, we should choose people to interview selectively and using defined criteria. I am hoping to apprach the heads of each department as i will gain information from the highest of experts in each area allowing for comparison and information supported by maximum knowledge.
OBSERVATION: Watch, record, analyse
Things to consider
- how will i conduct, where, and for how long (will this vary between participants)
- how will i conduct, where, and for how long (will this vary between participants)
- record via journalling or video, at the time of observation or afterwards
- will the observation process have a pre-determined framework or be completely open
- will the observation be participant or disinterested
- ethics: participant permission, confidentiality, gate keeper, employer support
- presentation and analysis of results
Observation can be an extremely rich source of data but be very time consuming to conduct and analyse. Recording the observation by video may provide too many ethical complactions in my work place due to not only the people on show, but the disclosure of the producers property such as costumes/props as well as the theatre company's environment. I think journalling may be the best option. obviously the purpose of observation is to watch activity but this can make it difficult to remember and analyse findings. A pre-determined framework for the journal i.e. an observation grid, would provide useful for making short hand notes of behavioural patters, specific responses, interactions and skills. i would need to create this in some sort of simple coding to make it un comprehendable to the prticipanats. I also need to think carefully how i position myself and take the notes in order to minimise interference with the normal setting. I hope to conduct observations during the pre- show set up as that is here i believe most activity will occur. Participant observation can make it hard to remain objective, particularly when you know the other people involved. However, i would really like to assign the last section of my observation to trial and error. I'd like the opportunity to participate in a form of work experience where i have a go at a particular skill of their choice. In regards to presenting results, it may be possible to form charts from my observation grids and create a video journal of my expereinces during the trial and error sessions.
INTERVIEW: questions/discuss, record, analyse
Thinsg to consider:
- how will i conduct: where, when and for how long (will this vary between participants)
- who will i approach and why
- interview structre (structured, semi-structured, open, narrativs, informal, guided)
- what am i trying to find out, therefore what questions need to be asked
- open or closed questions
- record via journalling, audio, video
- ethics: permission, data protection act - "off the record", secure storing of data collected
- presentation and analysis of results
Data collected from interviews can be very valuable because you gain insight into the "motives, expectations and attitudes" (Reader 6, 2016) of people that you wouldnt get in more statitstical, data collection tools. However it is important that you consider the wording of your questions so they are not leading in order to support your own feelings. A great advantage of interviewing is the adaptability. If you don't structure the interview too much you can probe the topic or further any intersting points raised by the interviewee - both of these provide the opportunity to uncover unexpected data. One disadvantage is that the interviewer may affect the responses of the interviewee - particularly if you know eachother. It is important to think about interpersonal variables such as age, gender, role and personal qualities; and about the subject being covered as to whether phone, skype or face to face interviews are best. A brief introduction of information sheet prior, explainng the purpose of inquiry and interview, i hope will minimise and interpersonal influences.
Conducting a PILOT interview will provide very useful when testing my approach to interview. I will do this with a family member or friend outside of my workplace so that my research inquiry is done with the most professionalism in the workplace.To do this i will need to contact the participant and email over the information sheet and consent form if they agree to take part. I will semi-structure some questions in the hope that i can probe the topic whilst allowing for any unexpected routes of interest. Being on tour i will conduct my pilot over the phone and for this i will require audio recording equipment, paper and pen, timer.
When analysing the interview, it is important to write any quotes exactly as they were spoken - without paraphrasing. I think qualitative analysis would be best for my inquiry purpose in which i use written analysis to discover "comparisons, contrasts and insights" (Reader 6, 2016). This in regards to my own interpretations of the evidence, against the participant's construction of reality.
FOCUS GROUPS
The advantages of focus groups are that they generally involve people with similar interests, roles and experience, appropriate for and knowledgable to the inquiry topic. A focus group also provides a supportive environment for people who don't like to talk on their own or need help feeding and instigating their own thoughts. Atmosphere is key within a focus group. It is important to consider the space in which you conduct it, your introduction to the activity and how you arrange the seating for it. Focus groups can be difficult to manage. A plan of action should be in place via the means of prompt questions to help channel the discussion and prevent going off on tangents. Strong personalities can influence what other people say and affect the balance in response. I think that having an action to show you want to speak may provide useful - this to prevent talking over one another and creating a heated or unmanageable atmosphere. Focus groups can again be very time consuming with analysis of various, different voices but, 'professional conversations' if you like, do feed thoughts well and may provide less time consuming than conducting several indervidual interviews. For me personally, i think individual interviews would be more beneficial when analysing because of the structure provided.
I spend every day in a dressing room with 5 or 6 other girls in which we discuss allsorts - would it be inexcusable not to use this environment? Or do i purposefully not use it incase it impacts negatively in any way on our relationships and working atmosphere?
Things to consider:
- Seating plan for optimum atmosphere and participation
- Attendance to session
- Time keeping if discussions go off topic
- Recording needs to be clear and well placed because of multiple voices
- Identification to help the analysis of quotes
- Coding for note taking and the indivuiduals in the room
- Conduction: where, when, who, how long
- Ethics: consent forms, information sheets, permission, data protection
DOCUMENTS
First hand sources:
• library or academically based
• computer based
• policy focused
• historically oriented
• organisationally based
• internet
• journals or diaries
It is important to remember that document s cannot be taken at face value:
• what is their position and what is its significance?
• what are their biases – political, personal?
• where, why, how and when was the document produced?
• what are its underlying assumptions?
• how is the document presented?
• how does this document relate to other documents?
• who is the intended audience?
• what is the ethical and/or value basis of the document?
All analysis and interpretations of data should relate back to what you've found about the inquiry topic and to your work place and professional role.
INTERVIEW: questions/discuss, record, analyse
Thinsg to consider:
- how will i conduct: where, when and for how long (will this vary between participants)
- who will i approach and why
- interview structre (structured, semi-structured, open, narrativs, informal, guided)
- what am i trying to find out, therefore what questions need to be asked
- open or closed questions
- record via journalling, audio, video
- ethics: permission, data protection act - "off the record", secure storing of data collected
- presentation and analysis of results
Data collected from interviews can be very valuable because you gain insight into the "motives, expectations and attitudes" (Reader 6, 2016) of people that you wouldnt get in more statitstical, data collection tools. However it is important that you consider the wording of your questions so they are not leading in order to support your own feelings. A great advantage of interviewing is the adaptability. If you don't structure the interview too much you can probe the topic or further any intersting points raised by the interviewee - both of these provide the opportunity to uncover unexpected data. One disadvantage is that the interviewer may affect the responses of the interviewee - particularly if you know eachother. It is important to think about interpersonal variables such as age, gender, role and personal qualities; and about the subject being covered as to whether phone, skype or face to face interviews are best. A brief introduction of information sheet prior, explainng the purpose of inquiry and interview, i hope will minimise and interpersonal influences.
Conducting a PILOT interview will provide very useful when testing my approach to interview. I will do this with a family member or friend outside of my workplace so that my research inquiry is done with the most professionalism in the workplace.To do this i will need to contact the participant and email over the information sheet and consent form if they agree to take part. I will semi-structure some questions in the hope that i can probe the topic whilst allowing for any unexpected routes of interest. Being on tour i will conduct my pilot over the phone and for this i will require audio recording equipment, paper and pen, timer.
When analysing the interview, it is important to write any quotes exactly as they were spoken - without paraphrasing. I think qualitative analysis would be best for my inquiry purpose in which i use written analysis to discover "comparisons, contrasts and insights" (Reader 6, 2016). This in regards to my own interpretations of the evidence, against the participant's construction of reality.
FOCUS GROUPS
The advantages of focus groups are that they generally involve people with similar interests, roles and experience, appropriate for and knowledgable to the inquiry topic. A focus group also provides a supportive environment for people who don't like to talk on their own or need help feeding and instigating their own thoughts. Atmosphere is key within a focus group. It is important to consider the space in which you conduct it, your introduction to the activity and how you arrange the seating for it. Focus groups can be difficult to manage. A plan of action should be in place via the means of prompt questions to help channel the discussion and prevent going off on tangents. Strong personalities can influence what other people say and affect the balance in response. I think that having an action to show you want to speak may provide useful - this to prevent talking over one another and creating a heated or unmanageable atmosphere. Focus groups can again be very time consuming with analysis of various, different voices but, 'professional conversations' if you like, do feed thoughts well and may provide less time consuming than conducting several indervidual interviews. For me personally, i think individual interviews would be more beneficial when analysing because of the structure provided.
I spend every day in a dressing room with 5 or 6 other girls in which we discuss allsorts - would it be inexcusable not to use this environment? Or do i purposefully not use it incase it impacts negatively in any way on our relationships and working atmosphere?
Things to consider:
- Seating plan for optimum atmosphere and participation
- Attendance to session
- Time keeping if discussions go off topic
- Recording needs to be clear and well placed because of multiple voices
- Identification to help the analysis of quotes
- Coding for note taking and the indivuiduals in the room
- Conduction: where, when, who, how long
- Ethics: consent forms, information sheets, permission, data protection
DOCUMENTS
First hand sources:
• library or academically based
• computer based
• policy focused
• historically oriented
• organisationally based
• internet
• journals or diaries
It is important to remember that document s cannot be taken at face value:
"We develop our ideas of the concepts, issues and policies with which
documents deal through comparative analysis." (Reader 6, 2016)
Things to consider:
• who is the author?• what is their position and what is its significance?
• what are their biases – political, personal?
• where, why, how and when was the document produced?
• what are its underlying assumptions?
• how is the document presented?
• how does this document relate to other documents?
• who is the intended audience?
• what is the ethical and/or value basis of the document?
All analysis and interpretations of data should relate back to what you've found about the inquiry topic and to your work place and professional role.
"...your professional inquiry and professional artefact
use your practitioner research element as yet another experience to develop your
professional role." (Reader 6, 2016)
Things to consider as an INSIDE RESEARCHER:
- remain objective
- instant feedback
- influencing data collected (research activity vs work activity)
- role duality
- my values
The Inquiry Proposal:
• topic for the inquiry or the research problem
• research questions or hypotheses being explored
• background of research (context an purpose of the inquiry)
• explanations of the research approach or methodology -
quantitative/qualitative/mixed
• descriptions of the tools of inquiry undertaken during the module e.g.
observations, sampling approaches used, interviews, focus
groups, the literature that you sourced and reviewed
• description of the tools of inquiry to be used in the professional inquiry
• how you will handle the data and analyse the findings from the inquiry
• ethical considerations, aspects of validity and reliability of framework
• reflection from the learning process undertaken
• timetable for the professional inquiry
• the learning agreement with workplace signature where required
• the resources that you might need to carry out the inquiry
( Mason, 2002
and Bryman, 2008)
Bibliography
Bell, J. (2005 & 2014) Doing Your Research Project (4th & 6th ed.) Milton Keynes: Open
University Press.
Fox, Mark, Martin, Peter and Green, Gill (2007) Doing Practitioner Research,
London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Mason, Jennifer (2002) Qualitative Researching (2nd end) London: Sage
Publications Ltd.
Reader 6 (2016) Middlesex University, Lodon
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