As part of the 703 unit, I began to look at different research methodologies that I could use as part of my research process. I began to identify the methods that I think would be relevant to my practice. Last year in 701, 702 and 704, I identified that I was using qualitative research, and action research and was largely practice-led, though at times I wasn't sure about this at the start of the MA I looked at practice-based research as my initial idea fit in this area, however as the project evolved so did the are it fits within.
Since the project started it has evolved substantially and now definitively sits within practice-led approach. I then identified that the research I collect will be largely qualitative as the questions I am posing are based on ideas and participants' experiences in a VR piece of work which can't be quantified or measured with numbers. It is possible that during the practical testing stage I find a need to use a quantitative research method to test hypotheses about software and production methods, however, I foresee the data I collect in the stage still following the qualitative methods as software is still personal dependant and always changing.
The data I collect will come from both primary and secondary research sources, I will use primary research to collect information to answer my research question, by experimenting and testing the production pipeline and input methods. I will use secondary research to collect existing data and information, I will use this to compare against my own findings and analyse them.
One method I will use is experimentation and reflective practice, where I will test pipelines, software and practical outcomes, which will then be compared against identified criteria, this comparison and analysis will then be used to reflect on the practice, which will enable me to identify the best possible pipelines and software for the project.
Another method that I will continue to use is action research. This is a method that I have been currently used consistently and is one that is working well for the project. With this method, I am able to identify what needs doing in the form of an action or a question, I then conduct a test that enables me to answer the question, and once the test is complete I will evaluate how well the test went, I will reflect on this and then start the process again from any questions raised in the reflective section.
Research Methodologies Definitions
Action research -
Definitions: “Action research is research done by the practitioner in order to improve his/her working conditions or efficacy. The purpose of the research is to solve a problem the worker/practitioner is having or to investigate a phenomena he/she has noticed in the course of his/her working life.” See Action-based research (2013)
Action research is often used in educational settings but can apply elsewhere:
“Action research is a form of investigation designed for use by teachers to attempt to solve problems and improve professional practices in their own classrooms. It involves systematic observations and data collection which can then be used by the practitioner-researcher in reflection, decision-making and the development of more effective classroom strategies.” See Parsons & Brown (2002)
Case studies -
Definitions: “A research method that engages in the close, detailed examination of a single example or phenomenon. ...Case studies are often published by ethnographers, participant observers and historical researchers. The study of ‘classic’ cases plays a central role in training in some fields, especially anthropology, law and psychoanalysis.” See Calhoun, C. J. (2002). Dictionary of the social sciences. New York: Oxford University Press
“A detailed analysis of a person or group from a social psychological, or medical point of view" See Bali, R. K. (Ed.). (2005). Clinical knowledge management: opportunities and challenges. IGI Global
Focus group research -
Definition: "Focus groups are a data collection technique that capitalizes on the interaction within a group to elicit rich experiential data... More specifically a focus group is 6 to 12 individuals who are similar in some way and come together to discuss an issue of interest to the researcher." See Asbury (1995)
Qualitative research -
Definitions: “...is a type of scientific research. In general terms, scientific research consists of an investigation that: seeks answers to a question; systematically uses a predefined set of procedures to answer the question; collects evidence; produces findings that were not determined in advance; produces findings that are applicable beyond the immediate boundaries of the study. See Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Media analysis -
Definitions: "The examination, interpretation and critique of both the material content of the channels of media of communication and the structure, composition and operations of corporations that either own or control those media. Media, in this sense, refers to what used to be called the mass media, the means of communication of information to large numbers of people – television, radio and newspapers. It now encompasses multimedia, the electronic networks of communication made available by the Internet." See Cashmore, 2006 in Jupp, V., & Sage Publications. (2006). The SAGE dictionary of social research methods. London: SAGE Publications.
Media content analysis is a sub-set of content analysis and applies a systematic method to study mass media as texts, including interview transcripts, film narrative and forms, TV programs and content of newspapers and magazines.
"Content analysis operates on the view that verbal behaviour is a form of human behaviour, that the flow of symbols is a part of the flow of events, and that the communication process is an aspect of the historical process... content analysis is a technique which aims at describing, with optimum objectivity, precision and generality, what is said on a given subject in a given place at a given time." (Lasswell, Lerner & Pool, 1952) See Macnamara (2005)
Participant observation research -
Definition: “A method of research in anthropology which involves extended immersion in a culture and participation in its day-to-day activities ... Originally associated with and promoted by Franz Boas and Bronislaw Malinowski. ...Difficulty of negotiating the relationship between participating and observing has been a subject of lengthy debate”. See Calhoun, C. J. (2002). Dictionary of the social sciences. New York: Oxford University Press
Experimental making
Experimental Research Experimental research involves testing hypotheses by manipulating variables within a controlled situation • Experimental Design • Hypothesis Testing • Controlled Variables • Laboratory Environment • Statistical Tests • Empirical Evidence
Observation
Questionnaires
Analysis
Reflective practice
As part of the presentation of my project, I identified software that I will need to learn, as part of my backwards planning I decided that I need to make this more concise and break them down, this would make the list of software I need to learn less and allow me to identify the best software to start with and then the software I can progress to.
To do this, I decided to collect all the software I had listed in the presentation and that I had previously identified in blogs and group them. I researched each software as well as spoke to industry contacts and then began to group them, I will first group by area such as 3D animation, Photogrammetry etc, I will then use my pipeline to sort them into the order of need. I will finally break it down to ease of learning, some software I already use and only need to upskill and learn new techniques others I need to learn from scratch.
Professional Pressance
Website
Logo
Business Cards
Bound dissertation
PhD Proposal
Conference Paper
Research Record
To end the MA we were to complete a final presentation to our peers, supervisors, course leader as well as people from industry. For my pr...
