Thinking back...

Throughout module 3 I have been thinking back to things that I learnt in module 1, 2 and 3. I have been re- reading sections of all 3 handbooks and thinking about how certain points connect to my inquiry now. I believe that including certain bits of knowledge learnt from all 3 modules has been an important part of my inquiry journey as I have been able to think about how my inquiry and my professional practice has grown and changed during this course.

I would really recommend that everyone has a look back through all three handbooks to see what information could be relevant to what your inquiry is now. Please feel free to comment any other tips you may have with regards to enhancing your inquiry!

Millie x

The Power of Choreography

I have recently been using spider diagrams to think of different ways to present my practice based artefact, in the past I would usually create a powerpoint video with pictures and my voice speaking over the top. However, I believe that the power of choreography can be so strong, I am thinking about creating a video using different clips of myself doing my own choreography to represent the journey of my inquiry.

I still intend to use these main points to focus on however I will be using my body and various locations to explain my journey.

Introduction- How and why

Literature review- Perspectives

Overview of the inquiry- Data collection

Analysis- Themes

Reflection- My journey

I hope this helps anyone thinking about their artefact! Feel free to comment your ideas below, am interested to see what others are thinking about doing to present their inquiry!

Millie x

Social Conformity

Inquiry- 'How and why are there pressures put on the way dancers should look?'

Recently I have been looking out for themes which may emerge throughout my data and one has really caught my eye. It is the presence of social conformity: the tendency to act or think like members of a group. 

I first noticed this during my literature research, 'it's a trend to be thin', that dancers are following the stereotype that society has created. I have read a few articles which have stated similar things with regards to this, that we as a society have created this stereotype for dancers and athletes.

An example of social conformity would be, if I was at school with a group of 5 friends and 3 of them did not get dessert at lunch and one did I would probably not get one too. This is something that we all do unintentionally in order to fit in with the crowd to avoid judgement for being different. Thinking back to my performing arts training I can think of numerous occasions where I unintentionally followed the crowd.

During some of my interviews this theme kept cropping up, that we are influenced by what others look like, if one student came back after the holidays looking more toned/thin others would feel the need to do the same. This has a domino effect. Dancers competing with each other with regards to how little they can eat, this unspoken competitiveness relates to social conformity.

This research in to social conformity has really helped to develop my inquiry, sometimes its nice to branch out to different topics which are still somewhat related to the inquiry.

I hope this helps anyone searching for their themes within their data analysis, don't be afraid to expand your inquiry and your knowledge if something catches your eye, as long as you always bring it back to your inquiry.

Millie x

Analysis of Data

After having collected some of my data already I have really been thinking about my analysis process and the use of triangulation. I was unable to make the module 3 Skype call due to work where triangulation was discussed. However after reading the handbook along with other students blog posts about it I feel much more confident. 

Triangulation focuses on having a sturdy and secure structure to my analysis process- 

My data is- 

1. What 6 dancers think about the pressure with regards to how they should look.
2. Literature by researchers and famous dancers who discuss the pressures.
3. My own personal experiences as a dancer with regards to the pressure.

Having three different types of data to analyse ensures that I wont just be comparing the data. I will be looking at the emergence of themes by using different coloured highlighters to create a clear image for myself. I also understand that these themes can contradict each other.

I am excited to get starting on my analysis process, please feel free to comment your thoughts!

Millie x

Inquiry Process- data collection

I thought I would share how I am collecting the data for my inquiry-

I am predominantly using literature research as there is so much already out there with regards to my inquiry, so many perspectives which have lead to more questions.

I am also interviewing 3 female and 3 male dancers, I have contacted my participants via web2.0 platforms and then via email along with my participant consent forms for them to sign. I am voice recording the interviews on my ipod and I ensure that I have consent from the participant prior to this. I can then write down all of my notes after the interview, I believe that this allows me to connect with the participant so I can see how they are answering the questions rather than myself having to keep writing notes.  

I am interested to see what others have done, feel free to comment your thoughts.

Millie x