COP3 Dissertation Intro & Proposal

Lecture 25^th April 2013

Richard Mills

… missed first 20 mins of lecture

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

6a1 - Demonstrate an independent critical understanding of the aesthetic, cultural, historical, technological, social, political or other contexts relevant to individual subject

…

Synthesis

All component parts of the project engaging in one complex, dynamic process

Informed engagement – not just taking photos, but taking photos for a specific reason.

The realization of theory in, and through practice

Artistic products aswell as writing

Asking to develop a PRAXIS  - when theory is turned into action, and making is differenced from research – theory and practice come together

COP3 is a synthesized research project from the very beginning

COP3 PROPOSAL FORM

Kickstarts the module

·      Makes you consider all aspects of your oriject in detail

·      Allows you to receive focused feedback before summer

·      Allows staff to cinsider the viability of your research

·      Download from the COP2 section of your course eStudio

·      Complete the form and submit to Drop-box on eStudio

Think about a subject that’s going to interest me for 9 months!!!!!

Try to define a subject

Be as specific as you possibly can

Think about it, then be more specific again.

This is not a Dissertation title

This is not set in stone

It could be a series of related questions, lines of enquir or objectives.

NEXT 4 QUESTIONS – REALLY IMPORTANT – WILL MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR SUBJECT IN 4 ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WAYS

LOOKING AT FACTORS:

Research FOR creative practice

Research BEHIND creative practice

What research needs to be undertaken into the general and specific contexts of your practice?

What factors sit behind your chosen subject?

How have historical, cultural, social, technological, economic, political and other factors influenced it?

Who are the key figures within my chosen subject?

Are there any dominant or prevailing attitudes that inform my subject?

Is my subject culturally specific? If so, how?

What approaches will you take and what processes, methods, materials and tools are to be involved in research into your practice?

How will you approach your chosen subject?

What sort of questions will you ask? Why?

Different questions will get different answers

Methodology

Method – a way of proceeding about something in a systematic or logical mannar

Methodology – the science of method, employed in a particular activity (about stating a case)

A logical and predefined and systematic strategy by which to undertake a research project, including methods of evaluation, schedules and stated intentions.

Have an intention to find out something

Research conducted ‘through’ practice

‘Thinking through doing’

Reflective practice

What effect do changing the materials that you use have on the end result?

What factors could disrupt your creative practice

What is the relationship of techniques that you use to other techniques in the sector?

What preparation or investigations do you need to undertake for your creative practice to take place?

How will you go about investigating my chosen subject?

Do you have to research into methods of research?

Do you need to research into materials?

How do you improve your research skills?

What research do you need to undertake regarding who your creativity is for?

Who is our research project for?

What professional contexts could your research be aimed at?

What specific organisitions could use your research and how?

How would your tone of voice (visual or written) change if you targeted your research at a different audience?

Does your work challenge existing knowledge in the field?

The hermeneutic circle

A process of interpretation

Interpretation is a process designed to clarify an experience and assign meaning to it

This is aided by the hermeneutic circle which involves looking at different perspectives on eveents and relating individual components.

First grasp… inspection of detail… global inspection... Deeper understanding

Final advice

Think about your subject carefully

Take ownership of the project

Make it personally and professionally relevant

Treat the proposal form seriously

Start the research process now

And HAVE FUN