Responses to 3835 Questions about the Inquiry

1. what is literature - this is explained in your Reader - but basically it can be a variety of materials that have been written or communicated about various topics - you literature might include an academic article downloaded form the Middlesex library (because you know that academic literature 'argues' points of view in a balanced way with rules that govern their use of evidence to make their points), articles form trade periodicals (like Stage), or web articles that come form reliable sources - like a professional organisation such as Dance UK. Your literature might also include some books about inquiry, research, or learning theory that you have found ( I liked Researching Dance by Franleigh and Hanstein). These could also be policy papers you need to read for education if you teach or aspire to teaching.

So three sources that talk about your topic - reviewed - what did they say and what did they mean? Have they changed your mind about something or inspired you to do further searching? Did they challenge what others have said about the issues? Did they have ideas or theories that others have been able to see and use?

2. research ethics - 2 sorts covered in the course ethical practice as it relates to codes of practice in the workplace and 2. inquiry ethics - how you are going to ensure that you have followed certain protocols while carrying out your inquiry. Middlesex Uni (and your advisors) need to ensure that you carry out good practice when in comes to inquiry on human subjects, so you need to think through how you are going to interview etc. the people who will participate in your inquiry - this is directly related to the Ethcial Form and explanation you need to fill out for 3835

3. the plan - on page 4 in the Handbook are suggestions for formatting the plan (it does not need to be put into a Blurb book though). What research questions are your explaining and how are you intending to carry out this inquiry? This also relates to discussions in Reader 6 about how others have carried out practitioner research (we are calling this process this inquiry). Use the list on page 4 to draft up your ideas. ALSO LOOK AT PAGE 33 IN READER 6 FOR SUGGESTIONS.

4. (added later in day on 11th April) using the tools - 1. observation - in you workplace or if nothing comes up - from a video event (Emma you were right to think of it ass an option!) of something similar to your topic 2. interview - have you considered skype or telephone interviews with BAPP members - you can put skype addresses up and connect with people that are on the course (at the uni, because of data protection, we do not give out contact details except with permission), focus groups - again this is a trial - so with friends on a topic that everyone could talk about - i.e. how media presents the arts? 4. survey/questionnaire - why not try SurveyMonkey to see how the online device works - a number of BAPP members have surveys up - so support the home team and try them... These ARE NOT for your inquiry - that is in the next module when you have explained and obtained Middlesex University ethical approval - so this is just to try out how the 'inquiry tools' operate in an informal way so that when you use them in your inquiry in the next module you will be somewhat familiar with them

Hope that helps.... COMMENT on the blog anything else that might help!!!

5. (added later in day on 11th April) 6c asks you to put your reviews of the literature on the SIG Wiki - which is essentially the BAPP Facebook we a trialling.  However - because not everyone is on Facebook -  post these on your blogs to share with the various groups - perhaps labeling a special interest group in the title of the blog.