Picking a Topic
This module seemed like a big step forward from
Module 1 and has largely assisted my self-development and understanding. It
helped me to explore ideas for a suitable inquiry topic to aid my career
aspirations and brought focus to important elements that the inquiry will
involve. At the beginning I had two options that I was keen to explore,
physical well being of dancers or management but both topics were pretty broad. I
refined them by developing possible questions and posting them to my blog. (Appendix A) Through
engagement with others in my SIG about the possibilities behind my subject
lines I was able to explore my own thinking on the topics. I also looked via
other’s blogs to see similarities that could help and I blogged my thoughts. (Appendix B) Through this I came to the
conclusion that the management topic took presidency over physical well being
for me ‘…as it encompasses a lot of areas
I am interested in and my current employment allows me substantial access to
these areas’ (Price,
2014, online)(Task 4c & 5a)
Tools for Inquiry
Piloting tools in this module meant I was able
to measure which methods will prove most effective to gather the type of information
needed for my inquiry. I piloted both an online survey (Appendix C) and a written questionnaire. The outcome of these
helped me decide against the survey ‘…it was
useful in gathering a wide range of data and generalisations although I imagine
my inquiry to be more of a quantitative nature so I might find the interviews
more useful’ (Price, 2014, online) (Task 6b) I am
looking at professionals with expertise in management and literature for
knowledge already written on the topic and from this reflection decided that
the interview was the best tool in gathering this type of information. I also
learnt that I will need to get precise information and I can do this by
structuring the questions well and being very to the point, not ambiguous.
I decided an observation session of a meeting
or rehearsal would help me witness first hand the collaboration between the
director, choreographer and dancers and the strategies used. Although due to
timetables I was unable to pilot this tool I developed ideas about the
structure. (Appendix D) This has also
made me more aware that I will need to use time as efficiently as possible
throughout my inquiry.
Ethics
Reader 5 and discussions with my SIG helped me
to distinguish ethical aspects that I must be aware of during my inquiry. I also
used literature from Costly, Elliot and Gibbs’s ‘Doing Work Based Research’. This helped my understanding and
awareness of insider research and how working with my professional colleagues can benefit both myself and those in my workplace. It also lead me to seek my work’s official sources on ethical practice. From this I
linked the official document’s terms to my inquiry using a brainstorm to expand.
(Appendix E) I grasped the
importance of data protection of participants and therefore all data such as
names etc. will be anonymous unless specific permission is given and likewise
with quotes. I also decided to create a consent form for all those involved to
solidify this. It gives insight to what my inquiry was about and asking for the
professional’s consent to participate. (Appendix
F)
I now feel I have developed and gained in depth
skills and knowledge about practitioner research and professional inquiry and
have established a good topic and structure to continue to progress further in
the next module.
Appendices
· Appendix A
· Appendix C
· Appendix D
‘I will use the 'covert'
method as a dancer because I can easily observe during rehearsals and this is
less likely to distort results or behavior. However all those involved will be
aware of my inquiry.’ (Price, 2014,
online)
· Appendix F
Bibliography
Costly, C and Elliott, G and Gibbls, Paul (2010), Doing Work Based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-Researchers, London, Sage
Bell,
J, 2005, Doing Your Research Project (4th
ed), Milton Keynes: Open University Press
Costly, C and Elliott, G and Gibbls, Paul (2010), Doing Work Based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-Researchers, London, Sage
Nottingham, P and McGuiness, R, 2013, BAPP Arts: Reader 5: Principles of
Professional Inquiry, London, Middlesex University
Nottingham,
P and McGuiness, R, 2013, BAPP Arts:
Reader 6: Principles of Professional Inquiry, London, Middlesex University
Price, E, 2014, Emma Price BAPP Blog (online) Accessed from: http://emmaprice93.blogspot.com
(accessed 7th May 2014)
www.surveymonkey.com (accessed 7th May
2014)
