It is usually agreed that academic research is:
“A process of enquiry and investigation. It is systematic and methodical; and…increases knowledge” (Wilson 2010 cited in Fox 2014:6)
To conduct research, we must be concerned with finding information from credible sources. As a public service employee, I am responsible for finding and sharing reliable information to followers of school social media, and the responsibility was particularly apparent during the coronavirus pandemic as we shared latest regulations and recommendations. Criticality in sourcing information is crucial to ensure its accuracy. The CRAAP test (Falmouth University, 2022) is a useful aid in weeding out reliable information.
I have not previously undertaken formal work-based research but gaining research skills through the masters will allow me to use research in my practice, for example to conduct market research before starting new classes. As a master student the goal is to complete a major research project, a prospect both exciting and intimidating. Aware of my need for CPD in this area I initiated self-learning using the resource lists provided. I have conducted small-scale research for a previous master module but have never before had the chance to delve into the deeper topics of ontology and epistemology. The importance of understanding one’s own approach to these concepts is pointed out by Turner and Pirie in Critical event studies: approaches to research (2016). My ontological views tend towards relativism, which naturally makes me a social constructionist researcher. Qualitative, interpretive research is the methodology most suited to my ontological perspective. However, this week has also taught me that the research question should guide the choice of methodology. Qualitative and quantitative approaches can offer different perspectives on the same issues, and the third paradigm offers a mixed methods approach to provide a “more comprehensive assessment of a research issue”. (Shipway et al. 2012)
Another aspect to be considered is the choice of research topic and if the research I engage in adds new knowledge to the field, considering emerging trends and already identified areas for further research (Mair and Whitford 2013) whilst also taking into consideration the wider political contexts of the research and event. Honing my critical reflexivity is vital, to realise where existing social structures and my own political beliefs may be causing bias but also to investigate social structures and help break down unhelpful or outdated structures, such as in the case of decolonisation. Lamond and Platt acknowledge the reflexive nature of researching social phenomena and advocate for more critical research into events to strengthen event studies as a maturing discipline as its research begins to follow political, social and cultural trajectories. Critical events studies and thereby research is rooted in «concern for the people and places impacted by events» rather than ideas of profit associated with earlier research focus on economic impacts. (Lamond and Platt 2016)
The VLE is a place where my fellow students and I can challenge each other on these issues as we share ideas, and I am glad to see there is a core of students including myself willing to post and share regularly. It is helpful to feel that one isn’t alone; despite geographical distance there is an online space where students can meet for discussion and support as we navigate the island of research (Harbury 1966).
Cover image: Author unknown, Pexels free photos (via WordPress).
References:
FOX, Dorothy, Mary Beth GOUTHRO, Yeganeh MORAKABATI and John BRACKSTONE. 2014. Doing Events Research: from theory to practice. Oxon: Routledge.
FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY. 2022. ‘Evaluating Information’. Falmouth University [online]. Available at: https://studyhub.fxplus.ac.uk/study-guides/research-finding-information/evaluating-information [Accesed 7 october 2022].
TURNER, Daniel and Elliot PIRIE. “Problems of Involvement and Detachment: a Critical Approach to Researching Live Event Experiences”. In LAMOND, Ian R and Louise PLATT. 2016. Critical event studies: approaches to research. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
SHIPWAY, Richard, Leo JAGO and Marg DEERY. ‘Quantitative and qualitative research tools in events’. In Page, S. & Connell, J. (eds), 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Events, Oxon: Routledge.
MAIR Judith and Michelle Whitford. 2013 “An exploration of events research: event topics, themes and emerging trends”. International journal of event and festival management, 4 (1), 6-30.
LAMOND, Ian R and Louise PLATT. 2016. Critical event studies: approaches to research. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
HARBURY, Ernest. 1966. ‘The island of research-one rule: Do not block the path of enquiry.’ American Scientist, 54 (4), 470.
Rachel Mills 