Sunday, 26 December 2010
Please Help!
Also can anyone clarify the difference between research questions and aims and objectives?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hope you all had a great Christmas.
Tara.
Friday, 17 December 2010
Terms of reference/ research questions HELP!
Thanks
Tara.
Sharing work
Hope everything is going well for everyone? I must admit I am looking forward to the end right now! Its not that I haven't enjoyed it but I have found the work very time consuming and working seven days a week, two shows a day and trying to finish my project has left me looking about a hundred!
I still have lots of corrections and improvements to make but wondered if anyone would be interested in sharing there work with me and visa versa. I need to write a log on google docs but have never used it so wondered if someone could help me?
Hope everyone has a great Christmas and new year.
Tara.
Friday, 10 September 2010
Delicious
Thursday, 9 September 2010
help please
Thanks,
Tara.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Rationale for award title
I have taken many things into account when considering my award title. My previous professional training at Performers College and the qualifications I achieved there including A Trinity national diploma in Professional dance and a Imperial Society Of Teachers of Dancing teaching qualification in Modern theatre dance are the first things I considered. Since achieving these qualifications and graduating in 2005, I have been in continuous employment as a professional dancer. During this time I have gained extensive knowledge in the field of dance and reached a high level as a practitioner.
I believe my prior training and qualifications combined with my experience and continuing involvement in the industry are sufficient to allow me to include “Dance” in the title of my award.
I undertook the BA (Hons) Professional Practice with the intention of looking forward to the future and my life after professional dancing.
As with most practitioners of the arts I have become totally submerged in the arts world and have realized over time that I wish my future career to be within the arts.
I hope to utilize my experience within the industry and I would eventually like to progress into a management role within the arts.
It is with this in mind and the opportunity to answer a question I have had a nagging curiosity about that the title of my research project will be “To produce a business plan for a production in the style of cabaret in the UK.” This will require me to carry out extensive research and I will gain an in-depth knowledge from doing so.
I will become familiar, from adopting a case study approach, with the various roles and procedures included in bringing a production to the audience. With the production of a business plan I will become familiar with many business practices, and also with legal issues surrounding the arts, including writing a contract and investigating necessary legal requirements and regulations. I will also need to consult industry unions and organizations. These are all activities consistent with “arts management”. “Students of arts management learn how to use business skills to manage arts organizations” (www.collegeboard.com).
My career aspirations and the subject and nature of my final project lead me to believe that “Arts Management” is a suitable title for my award.
Taking my Prior learning, qualifications and professional experience into account and considering my final research project “To produce a business plan for a production in the style of cabaret in the UK” along with my future career aspirations the title of the award I wish to achieve is “BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Dance and Arts Management).”
References
http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/50.0704.html
critical commentary
When I first received the module handbook I remember the panic that went through my mind, in my first learning diary of this module (3835) comments about the handbook such as “The handbook for me was inefficient. I need to be told what I need to do and I will do it.” And “I swiftly began reading through it (the handbook) and it wasn’t long before my mind had wondered and negative thoughts of how overwhelming everything was and how I had no idea of what was being asked of me.” This was just a few months ago before we began working on the module and in my last learning diary my attitude to the handbook has changed completely “so again I turned to the trusty handbook”. To me this is conformation I am panic merchant, and get overwhelmed by things at first sight. As I also said in my first learning diary “Things take a few days to really sink in after my initial panic of “I have no idea what I’m doing”…. After a few days of digesting information I am fine.” I have learnt I don’t like to not understand things, but from doing this course I have also learnt that if I give myself a chance and take the time to stay calm I can learn a lot. I also feel I have become more tolerant, instead of initially jumping to my own conclusion about others opinions and ways of doing things I often find my self taking the time to consider why they do/think that. I suppose you could say I have become more open minded which can only ever be a good thing!
Another thing that has altered my way of thinking and affected me in a big way is the use of the blogs. At first I have to confess I was a little dubious, probably because as I’ve realized I don’t initially like things I don’t understand.
There is no way I could of completed either module without the help and support of the BAPP online network, I have turned to this time and time again when I have needed help or am unsure about something and as yet I have never not found the information I was looking for. At one point in the module when I was very busy at work and not able to do as much work as I would of liked I even found too much information, and felt so far behind “At times when I check the blog and see how far along some people are in the module and the detailed work they are producing I have simple felt completely out of my depth.” (Learning diary 4). This was just a moment of panic as although I am very far away from everybody else it is very comforting to have this support. Working as a professional dancer for the past five years I have been in an environment where everyone is usually out to look after number one, although this is not my nature you get so used to doing everything for yourself and not being able to readily ask people for help or offer constructive criticism that I just found myself conforming to this way. To have the help and support of everyone else on the course has been like a breath of fresh air, and also in task E of the last module I found myself really wanting to help others improve their work too. This makes me happy and I have tried to carry this way of thinking through to my professional practise, in December I worked a short contract in Holland, one of the dancers did not have much experience and so when she turned up to the dress rehearsal her hair was not done correctly and she didn’t have any false eyelashes on, I knew she would be in trouble so I warned her in advance and taught her the correct way, at first she seemed a bit defensive and some of the others in the group questioned why I still helped her but later when we were alone she thanked me and said she was just a bit embarrassed as some others had seen her and not said anything. I have come to the conclusion that people see asking for help as a weakness. I am happy to help people and have people help me, and this course has definitely as I said earlier shown me a new way of thinking and made me accepting of others opinions.
One hugely positive outcome to this course has been the confidence I have gained using computers. I had always thought I was terrible and lacked confidence, I always had a niggling concern in my head that I wouldn’t be able to manage doing everything on the computer but I have to say doing this course has made me learn little by little and I have really surprised myself. I now think I could apply for a job that requires good computer skills where as before I wouldn’t of had the confidence in my ability to do so.
During this module (3835) I have been introduced to many research methodologies and digested more information about research than I thought I was capable of. It has opened me up to a new way of thinking especially about ethical issues; I had always been familiar with the word “ethics” but never really considered how many things there were to consider. I am pleased we have completed this module as I now feel I have, or have access to the sufficient information I need to conduct my final project in an effective and structured way. It has helped me to focus my ideas and definitely improved my chances of carrying out a successful project.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Learning diary 5
The aim of my project has always been clear in my mind, It’s a question that has for a number of years played on my mind so I know it’s a worthwhile project for me to undertake.
What was not so easy was deciding on a research methodology, even though throughout the whole module this is was we have been researching and what I have been writing these diaries about I realized I had some huge gaps in my knowledge and so needed to take a day to re-read and clarify what exactly was included in each in research methodology, whilst doing this I performed a mental check list in my head to see if each approach would be suitable for my project.
Another thing I took extra time to research was ethics; at first I thought there were not many ethical considerations to take into account affecting my project as I am not working with minors and will not be working in an organisation where I could reveal someone’s identity leaving them in a vulnerable position. So I spent some time researching ethics online and found it interesting how many factors I just didn’t think about.
Although my project proposal came along slowly in the beginning, things soon began to flow better and once my proposal was finished I felt a huge weight had been lifted and feel I am making headway through the rest of the activities. I still need to
*Complete my glossary
*Fill in the various forms
*Write my critical commentary
*Write the rationale for my award title
*Make some alterations to my first draft of the project proposal.
I will take some time to think about the title of my degree, as this will have a big influence on my employ-ability and career progression.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Learning diary 4
Including; what questions should be asked? How should the question be phrased?
How to ask good questions? What is the best sequence?
It is also important to consider clarity, make sure each respondent answers the questions in the same way.
Keep the language simple and keep the questions clear and easy to understand and don’t get caught up in jargon or complexity if possible.
Make your choices more concrete.
I designed my survey named “Attending a cabaret performance” and have really enjoyed looking at people’s response. Although this is only a pilot survey it has given me a good starting ground and many things to consider when I do start my project.
Although the blogs have again been a tremendous help as I am unable to attend any of the campus sessions I have found the past weeks a little stressful. At times when I check the blog and see how far along some people are in the module and the detailed work they are producing I have simple felt completely out of my depth. I have begun to work through the activities, only then to question if I am on the right lines and feel frustrated that in my moment of panic I am not producing my best work. I suppose that’s a performers trait that we are never satisfied and always aiming to do it better.
As the time has passed I have always had the theme of my project floating around in my head but I have been forced to whittle it down and have come up with the working title “To produce a business plan for a performance in the style of cabaret in the UK”. I am quite excited by my research, it is a vast topic but I hope to learn a lot.
Planning my research proposal has made me realize just how much there is to consider.
Another major consideration is ethics, which was covered largely at the campus session along with a few other things.
Rosemary’s slide “ ethical issues in research” was very helpful.
Ethical issues
“You must always drive on the left hand side of the road in England.”
This is legislation- a rule which is cohered to in order to prevent accidents. This is pragmatic ethics.
“Adults must not have sexual relations minors.”
This is called moral ethics.
Moral ethics can be defined as those principles on which our moral decisions are based.
Ethics are the sense of right and wrong, good and evil. Values and responsibility.
Ethical considerations
*Be ethical in the questions you set. Don’t show bias.
*Be aware of deliberate fraud to produce desired results.
*Do not lie.
*You must state how you define confidentiality and anonymity to avoid misconceptions.
* Carefully consider what you are promising to participants particularly when considering the previous point.
*Consider any risks to humans when conducting an experiment-if in doubt would you be prepared to do it yourself?
*Be aware of potentially sensitive subject matters- e.g eating disorders. Don’t push for answers people don’t want to give.
*Don’t lie, never turn data into “deliberate fraud” in order to get the desired out come.
* It is important to obtain consent from participants in your research, this is usually a signed consent form that provides sufficient background info of your proposal.
*Minors need careful consideration.
*As you participants are voluntarily partaking in your research, it is important to advise that they have the right to withdraw any comments at any time- even after the data has been gathered.
*As a researcher I must carefully consider confidentiality and respect of participants privacy. How will I avoid identifying individuals, for example in a small organization be aware of using easily identifiable titles such as head teacher, manager ect.
*How will I store any data I gather? In a locked draw? On a computer? With a password?
*What will I do with the data after I have finished with it? I must do what I promised to do with it eg: shred/ delete/ wipe off of dictaphone.
I must now complete my project proposal and send it to my tutor for feedback. I will also complete the required activities once I am a hundred percent clear what I am supposed to be doing.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Just a random observation about myself.
I have been staring unproductively at my computer for many hours trying to write my project proposal and was really struggling. When i write on pen and paper things come much more easily.
I was trying to save time by typing straight away but think in the end I will have spent longer, oh well you live and learn!
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Survey
Thanks,
Tara.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Activity 2. Influences on the worker-researcher
Your findings may expose a colleague in a bad light and they may feel you have breached their trust initially by conducting the research and secondly by documenting the findings and exposing a friend.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Learning diary 3
I have been reading up on various research families including;
Qualative research- the purpose of qualative research is to gain insights from participants about their feelings and motivations. This form of data results from an attempt to specify the quality of the relationship between two or more things.
Key words- emotions, attitudes, reactions and beliefs.
Quantative research- involves interviewing a large number of people in an attempt to quantify the relationship between two or more things.
Key words- numerical measurements, percentages, proportions, graphs, charts and statistics.
Exploratory research- helps the researcher develop an understanding of the problem. It is often used in the initial stages of the research. Exploratory research can be used to;
-Develop a focus and direction for conclusive research.
-Uncover problems and identify variables that need to be measured.
-Help formulate a hypothesis or educated guess about the outcome of a test.
-Designed to answer a research question.
-Provide detail to evaluate alternative courses of action.
-Test hypotheses and examine relationships between variables.
Descriptive research- describes the behaviour of phenomena in a research problem, student competence, satisfaction, likes and dislikes and improvement.
- Generally answers the questions who, what, when, where and how?
- Has a clear statement of the research problem and details exactly what is to be measured.
Casual research- describes the relationship between two or more variables.
-It gathers evidence regarding cause and effect relationships. For example, studies on the effectiveness of advertising might look at how changes in attitudes of consumers affect sales.
-Answers the question why?
I also thought about what kind of research tools I will use for my project?
Surveys, interviews, questionnaires and/or focus groups? I have to decide the aim of my project, which data is most appropriate? What is the most effective way to gather this information? Another thing to ask yourself when it comes to your research participants is why they would want to help with your research project? Treat participants professionally, be on time and engaging.
Observation is one research tool; observations provide data from a visual source.
The data collected in this way is normally qualative, however at times it can be quantative observing people in their natural surroundings.
Participant observation is when the researcher enters the group they are observing. The researcher must gain trust and respect from the group in order for them to act naturally.
The researcher can observe from a very intimate angle using this approach.
Non participant observation is when a researcher observes from a distance and does not immerse himself in the group.
Interviews are another research tool; Interviews are a qualative method of gaining data from your interviewee (your sample) in order to gain evidence. It allows you to dig deeper asking the questions why?
It should be noted however that it is not a conversation and interviews should follow some sort of structure and you must be able to retain this data in order for it to benefit your research project.
Interviews can be conducted in different ways,
Structured- The interview has a strong structure to it, where the interviewer knows what questions need to be asked in order to gain the data he/she wants to complete the research.
Semi structured- The interviewer knows what questions to ask but will allow for some flexibility.
Open- where the discussion is around a topic but the participant can direct the interview in which way he/she wants to.
I think the best way for me to progress now with the module is to complete activity 7 and try to fix my project topic. I now know about the types of research and what tools but in order to plan which ones I will use I need to be more clear about my final project.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
learning diary 2
I found the second chapter of Bell's "Doing your research project" perticularly helpful and relevent to my situation.
At the time I found the first chapter of her book very informative but rather alot to digest all at once so I was pleased when I checked the blogs after the second Campus session,which I was unable to attend and found a nice break down of research types and Peter's slide. Although I was not there I found the slide really imformative and helpful.
Firstly it made me consider if my topic would be worthwhile? This made me consider what it was that prompted me to come up with my topic, and think about who i would be helping with the results.
In order to complete the research design I need to develop a way to collect and analyse information that can be used to solve, answer, prove, inform, explore, describe your topic. I need to make a plan that enables me to design my research effectivly and that includes my objectives to ensure that I gather the appropriate information efficently.
The slide also focused on PRIMARY and SECONDARY research.
SECONDARY research is information that already exsists, for example research already undertaken by others, census data, features in journals, newspapers,databases internal company documents like memo's and annual reports.
PRIMARY research is info collected directlyby the researcher and is gathered to address the problem at hand. This includes instruments such as survays, interviews and focus groups.
I thought about my topic ideas and what types of research i might have to undertake and what resourses I have available to me.
I hope this week to continue defining my project. To look for data and continue thinking about my approch.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
I realised then that it was imperative I attend the first campus session on the 16th of February.
It was the only session I can attend this module and I am really pleased I could. I had attended 2 campus sessions during the last module and hadn’t really felt they were always as productive as I would of liked. This was completely different.
It was run in a way, I have learned from embarking on this course that I love.
It was well planned and efficient in delivering all the information we needed to start this module. Although it was similar to previous sessions in that it was thought provoking
Paula and Rosemary covered all topics such as research, learning diaries and project ideas. I had a better understanding of what was needed.
The main thing I realised from the session was that I had no idea what I wanted to research, A few really helpful pointers were given about choosing a topic.
Firstly it must be something you are passionate about, as you will be spending the best part of a year researching it.
Secondly it must be a worthwhile project with an outcome of some use. Who will the results of the research effect and what could the consequences of the results be?
Thirdly it is important to consider your circumstances and access to resources.
This was particularly relevant for me as I will be moving to China at the end of the month and will have limited access to the large network of professionals I have met throughout my training and career. Also Most of my research for this module will have to be done online. Although I will be back in the UK in July I have no idea how long for and by the time it comes to actually carrying out the project who knows where I’ll be! So I have arrived at the conclusion I will need to do a fairly self-contained project that I am able to undertake anywhere in the world.
So the big question I ask my self now is what will that project be? I am in two minds here, The reason I started the degree was so I could broaden my horizons and set myself up in a better position for when I hang up my dancing shoes. So I feel to do a project about performance and possibly end up with a degree title along those lines would be a cop out and perhaps be less beneficial I the long run.
However, that’s me, that’s my life and what I am living through at the moment. It’s my professional practise and what the course is all about so who knows what I will decide.
So, what I have learnt about myself so far?
I am a lover of minimal information; The handbook for me was inefficient. I need to be told what I need to do and I will do it. No
I am a self confessed panic merchant (a dramatic one at that)
Things take a few days to really sink in after my initial panic of “ I have no idea what I’m doing” And few hours of beating myself up for being stupid for not understanding straight away what I should do.
After a few days of digesting information I am fine.
I do love list making, the highlight of the session for me was the checklist we made of what we needed to be thinking about and what we needed to be doing.
So there’s a little about my week and what’s been going around in my head. I am really trying to think about a project topic but also this week my mind is consumed with moving to China, getting there, starting a new job, a new culture and of course leaving the familiar behind, again!
Monday, 25 January 2010
Monday, 4 January 2010
Academic writing, draft 2
The Moulin Rouge has a history as a cabaret dating back to the 6th October 1889 when Joseph Oller opened it.
The cabaret has, throughout its time been a crowd puller.
“As soon as the cabaret opened it attracted crowds, appealing to Parisians who were looking for the extravagant.” Anne Rohan, 2009.
“ For 110 years, the most legendary cabaret in the world has welcomed millions of spectators who have come to admire the famous shows”
www.123europe.com
Today the cabaret is world famous, but what are the factors that have attributed to that fame?
The Moulin Rouge is famous for being the birthplace of the French dance, the cancan.
People wishing to see this dance in it’s original home have been coming to the cabaret for the past century and it is still possible to see the cancan today.
“This dance is still the main feature of the shows today.” Wikapedia.
The cancan has been drawing people to the cabaret and it is one of the main attractions of the cabaret.
It is also known that the French artist Henry Toulouse-Loutrec{1864-1901} immortalized the French cancan and according to Rohan{2009} “was himself a faithful customer.”
Toulouse-Loutrec was a post-impressionist painter and The Moulin Rouge along with the Parisian area of Montmartre where the cabaret is based are the subject of many of his paintings.
As well as being publised by the Lautrec paintings, the cabaret has boosted it’s publicity by inviting famous people to perform on it’s stage.
Dating back over 90 years ago Misinguett, {real name Jeanne Borgeois} who was famous for her risqué cabaret routines, she first appeared at The Moulin Rouge in 1907, going on to become the highest paid female performer in the world at the time. {Independent.co.uk} In 1919, her legs were insured for 500,000 Francs.{Traveltipz.com} Her signature song was “mon homme” recorded in 1916. Barbra Streisland made the English version “my man” famous in the “Funny girl” movies.
La Goulue {real name Louise Webber} was known as the queen of Montmatre. Her speciality was to drink the customers’ champagne between high kicks, which is why she was named the La Goulue {the glutton}. La Goulue was the subject of one particular Toulouse-Lautrec painting “One evening in December 1891, about three thousand copies of this poster were pasted on walls across Paris.” The poster advertises the Moulin Rouge dance hall and its featured performer La Goulue. By advertising a specific celebrity rather than anonymous beauties, Lautrec infused his poster with star power. The poster created a sensation, and fuelled the popularity of both La Goulue and Lautrec. {National gallery of art,2005} The fame of these two performers and the publicity they brought the cabaret has attributed to its fame.
More recent stars that have performed on the stage here have included French singer Edith Piaf. Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John and Josephine Baker. {Travel tripz.com 2009}
There have also been in total six movies made with the title “Moulin Rouge”. These movies have raised awareness of the cabaret aiding in its fame. Edward Andre Dupont directed the First in 1928. The following movies were released in 1934. 1939,1944,1952 and not forgetting the smash hit directed by Baz Luhrmann, staring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor released in 2001.
The movie was released worldwide in 70 countries, and made $177 million. {IMBD} The name Moulin Rouge became household and the cabaret become known by millions more.
The cabaret used the release of the film to show the world what they could do, travelling around and showing excerpts of the show.
“We travelled a lot for the premiere of Moulin Rouge, the movie - In Cannes, in London - for Prince Charles, Vienna, gala in Canada with Air France, Hong Kong in May, we are going to Australia in August.” Fanny Rabase, 2003, publicist, The Moulin Rouge.
Since the film was released in 2001, the cabaret has become more of a household name but the cabaret have worked towards publicizing itself since it opened, firstly with the help of the paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec. And with the continuous performances of famous guests aimed at boosting the profile of the cabaret.
References
WWW.MoulinRouge.FR ,2009, “Histoire>sommaire”. Available at http://www.moulinrouge.fr/html_fr/historic_sommaire.htm [accessed 05/12/09]
Wikapedia ,2009, “Moulin Rouge” Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_Rouge [accessed 05/12/09]
www.123europe.com 2009. “The moulin rouge cabaret” available at
http://www.123europe.com/europe/france/paris/cabarets/mou-roug.htm [accessed 05/12/09]
Gorokhovich, M,2003. “what does it take to be a Dorris girl?” Explore dance.com 20/03/2003. Available from www.exploredance.com/moulinrouge32003.html [accessed 05/12/09]
www.Cometoparis.com ,2009. “Le Moulin Rouge” Available at
http://www.cometoparis.com/interact4/www/come6.php4?doc=50 [accessed 05/12/09
Dugan, E, 2007, “Christie’s auction: show girl with $1m legs” .The Independent UK (online). 18/05/07. Available from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/christies-auction-showgirl-with-the-1m-legs-449360.html [accessed 30/12/07]
Rohan, A, 2009. “History of the Moulin Rouge cabaret”. Paris sweet home (online) Available at http://www.parissweethome.com/parisrentals/art_uk.php?id=91 [accessed 05/12/09]
National gallery of art, 2005. “Cafes, cabarets and dance halls” N.G.A (online) Available athttp://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2005/toulouse/cafes.shtm [accessed 05/12/09]
www.Traveltripz.com 2009. “Paris isn’t Paris without a show” Available at http://www.traveltripz.com/2009/05/09/paris-isnt-paris-without-a-show-moulin-rouge/ [accessed 05/12/09]
The internet movie database, 2009. “Moulin Rouge, 2001” Available athttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/releaseinfo [accessed 06/12/09]