Developing Lines of Inquiry (Module 2 revisited)

First Blog of 2016!!!!

Due too a hectic few months of performance contracts and a lot of confusion too which path too take within my inquiry I decided it would be beneficial too defer module 2.

During my time away from BAPP, I reconsidered my options for potential lines of inquiry focusing on my current professional practice as an actress trained in Musical Theatre. 

As explained in reader 4, a professional inquiry is a process which will enable me too further investigate, explore, evaluate and understand my professional Practice, whilst also identifying my unique learning needs. I will research my chosen topic to expand and clarify my current professional knowledge. The ultimate goal is too explore a topic which will benefit both myself and others within my practice whilst potentially furthering my career in acting. 

Following an enlightening conversation with Paula, I decided it would be beneficial to read what was expected of me and focus on key aspects of reader 4 and links to further reading.

 I found 'Blaxter and Hughes and Tight (2001) How to research, Chapter 2 'Getting started' p21-52) extremely helpful. I applied processes and information used in this chapter to ensure I was making the most of the early stages of developing my Practitioner Research Inquiry. A section that was particularly useful was 'Thinking of an idea for a research project'. The writer explains that this is often one of the most difficult aspects of a research project and provides the guidance points too assist with this difficult task. I found the following points very beneficial.

Regulations and expectations

This is something I previously neglected during my first attempt at module 2. I read through all information and moved on too tasks too suddenly without any in depth understanding of what was expected of me. On reflection this approach did not work for me and left me feeling confused and frustrated Since revisiting the module I have made reading and understanding what is expected of me my number 1 priority. So far I have found this approach very helpful and will continue too remind myself of what is expected throughout this module.

Ask friends, family, colleagues, Manager, Course Supervisor etc 

 Communicating within our social circles and professional networks and discussing possible ideas can be enlightening. Networking is an important aspect of professional practice discussed in module one and I can see how it will be extremely beneficial in this module. Associates within our different networks may lead us to question new possible research ideas and also open doors too new contacts who maybe of relevance to our inquiries. An interesting discussion with Paula last week led me to consider lines of inquiry in which would be beneficial too my career that I myself had overlooked. I will use this piece of advice further by discussing ideas in my 'SIGs'.

Look at Previous Research work

 I have been browsing through archives of previous BAPP research inquiries for inspiration. I also plan on using the summon tool too look at other small scale research projects particularly too see what possible methods I could use.

Quotes

I began researching quotes of which I felt strongly about.

Acting isn't really a creative profession. It's an interpretative one.
Paul Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008), American actor.

I don’t believe in learning from other peoples pictures. I think you should learn from your own interior vision of things and discover, as I say, innocently, as though there had never been anybody.” 
Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985), American actor and director

'The main factor in any form of creativeness is the life of a human spirit, that of the actor and his part, their joint feelings and subconscious creation'. 
Stanislavsky, K. & Hapgood, E.R. 2013, Building a character,Bloomsbury, London

These are three of which I found most interesting. All three quotes related back too creativity and professional opinions on the process of acting/creating character.

Diagram

This is a tool of which I am very familiar with and use regularly. Below I have created a spider diagram of interests, issues and questions relating to my practice whilst keeping in mind all of the above information. I will analyse this diagram and create inter connections between key ideas to develop a set of potential inquiry questions. 

As well as providing me with material too assist me in choosing an inquiry topic, 'Getting Started' also proved useful in other areas. An interesting and in my opinion crucial point was 'The Goldilocks strategy'. This focused my attention to the potential size of the research project. As we have been given deadlines for our inquiries we must consider if our research project is going to be just the right size, not too big, not too small (hence the Goldilocks connections). I will also consider the resources I will potentially need and the resources I have access too in order too determine whether I have enough essential resources to carry out my research.