Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

As I will be using qualitative research methods to carry out my inquiry, I felt it beneficial to first develop my initial understanding of exactly what qualitative research is and how it has progressed over the years.

After reading ‘Qualitative Research for Physical Culture’ by Pirkko Markula and Michael Silk, I know have a more detailed perception of this method and am able to implement it fully into my inquiry. It has also confirmed that this is the correct methodology for me to use in order to optimise the success of my inquiry.

Qualitative research has evolved over several decades and whilst it can be understood as a field in its own right it must also be understood against the historical context of each discipline/field. A qualitative researcher is understood as an observer in the world, but always a ‘situated’ observer. The researcher’s background and knowledge influence the research process and shape the research results. Nevertheless, researchers should be aware of their impact through carefully reflecting on the meaning of their part in the process: how do they construct their projects and why do they choose to act in certain ways?

This section of information resonated deeply with myself as I will be interviewing my peers within the ballet company I am part of it is important that I do not influence the response of my participants as they already know me personally nor should I predict what I think they will say in order to carry out a fair test. Upon completion of these interviews I may find it useful to create a short vlog (video blog) on my thoughts and observations from the interview in relation to myself in the research process.

It is important to carry out a number of methodological practices in order to situate better the activity of interest within its context. In any case this is in order to ‘make the world visible’. As qualitative research is an interdisciplinary field that cuts across several disciplines and fields of research, I am able to map out my inquiry giving a general overview as to what is already out there which will be particularly useful to myself as there is already a lot out there on performance motivation and psychology within dancers but not specifically comparing which context dancers perform best in.

Bibliography;

Markula, P., & Silk, M. (2011). Qualitative Research for Physical Culture. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Module 2 Handbook (2018) BAPP Arts, Middlesex University, London: Middlesex University