Understanding research
The first target I set myself, was to stick to the reading list I had given myself each week. I started by looking at Judith Bell's 'Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers'. At first, I thought it would relay information I had already learned during my undergraduate degree. I was very wrong, although the book is designed for all researchers, I feel totally refreshed, about the possibilities of research.
Bell (2014) states the importance of understanding types of research and research concepts, as we could all just choose an area of research and be whisked away, but would we truly understand the grounds of the research we are undertaking and why. I always knew my thinking didn't involve quantitative research, so I started to look into why. Quantitative researchers collect facts and studies the link/relationships between them, looking for a conclusion (Bell, 2014). Although I understand the importance of numerical data and statistics for clarity and accuracy, I prefer to interpret information and find meaning within it. I believe this is because of the nature of my learning process, always looking for more.
Qualitative research involves a range of concepts, understanding perceptions of the world and questioning whether social facts exist and whether science can really help to identify and analyse human's (Bell, 2014).
I started to question the truth in using science to understand a human concept. Something that has derived from thinking, imagination, human conversation all initiated from some form of prior knowledge and the ability to take in information. But ultimately as this is a practice based course, most of my thoughts and ideas have been created through experience. As dancers we are at the forefront of movement, our bodies do the talking, or our brains create the language for our bodies to try. As DAN4630, explores making meaning in action, I have started to think about whether the neurological process are initiated by movement/experience first.
From this reading, I have decided to look at a text 'Bodies of thought: embodiment, identity and modernity' Ian Burke. I am also going to be reflecting on how my thoughts could be initiated from experience before thought this week.
Bell, J. 2014. 6th ed. Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers. Open University Press, Berkshire,
Bell (2014) states the importance of understanding types of research and research concepts, as we could all just choose an area of research and be whisked away, but would we truly understand the grounds of the research we are undertaking and why. I always knew my thinking didn't involve quantitative research, so I started to look into why. Quantitative researchers collect facts and studies the link/relationships between them, looking for a conclusion (Bell, 2014). Although I understand the importance of numerical data and statistics for clarity and accuracy, I prefer to interpret information and find meaning within it. I believe this is because of the nature of my learning process, always looking for more.
Qualitative research involves a range of concepts, understanding perceptions of the world and questioning whether social facts exist and whether science can really help to identify and analyse human's (Bell, 2014).
I started to question the truth in using science to understand a human concept. Something that has derived from thinking, imagination, human conversation all initiated from some form of prior knowledge and the ability to take in information. But ultimately as this is a practice based course, most of my thoughts and ideas have been created through experience. As dancers we are at the forefront of movement, our bodies do the talking, or our brains create the language for our bodies to try. As DAN4630, explores making meaning in action, I have started to think about whether the neurological process are initiated by movement/experience first.
From this reading, I have decided to look at a text 'Bodies of thought: embodiment, identity and modernity' Ian Burke. I am also going to be reflecting on how my thoughts could be initiated from experience before thought this week.
Bell, J. 2014. 6th ed. Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers. Open University Press, Berkshire,
Hi Jessica
ReplyDeleteYou are on fire with your blogging - I'm very impressed!
I am also reading the set text and like you thought it would be a reminder (and also a little dry), however, I really like it's simple but in-depth analysis of each of the qualitative research methods. For further reading of the methods I'm interested in I'm tackling; Narrative Inquiry (Clandinin & Connelly) and Researching Dance (Fraleigh & Hanstein), the later I think might be useful to your line of enquiry. It's a set of essays, so easy to dip into. I promise to blog properly later today. Thanks again for you post.