Comparing Interviews...

Recently I decided to interview another dancer who is familiar to this BA Professional Practice course. Zoe Bellemy. As Zoe is a graduate from Higher Education, I felt it was necessary to view her thoughts on my inquiry.

Employing similar methods as the previous interview with Natalie, expected the interview with Zoe was over the phone with the same information and questions were asked.

Reflecting back on her opinions, her idea of a higher education course and qualification was strongly emphasised. Her views that these qualifications will benefit a dancer and reflect on the seriousness of the career. She felt if the subject was going to be taken seriously then the idea of qualifying nationally should be a need.
Compared to Natalie's opinion this is the opposite, I can see why they both think differently as they had both very different backgrounds and career goals.

Zoe had obtained various qualifications throughout her training and dancing. Becoming an associate and  a RAD special in Ballet, which this defiantly reflects on her opinion.
As Zoe has also completed this course she did discuss with me that the idea of this degree was positive and she has received increasingly amounts of employment after.

Reflecting

I do feel that after interviewing both dancers that there outcomes haven't allowed me to conclude as the are both at opposite spectrums. However, if I had interviews a few more dancers I feel I may have got more of a conclusion, which makes me think that the focus group interviewing 12 students dancers is a better option. This allows me to collect more data efficiently, as the limitation of an interview is 45 mins with one person and has to be convenient for both participants.
After this interview I am slightly swayed to employing a focus group for my final research project.

Addition to Focus Group- Survey

An addition to the focus group I held, I decided to use the same group and pilot a survey. Reading through Steph and Sophie's blog and actively doing what I had purpose in my first blog I decided to go ahead and experience to find a outcome.

In the focus group the outcome was extremely good, I received all sorts of opinions and views across the board from all the ages and genders. As I felt that there was no influencing in the group and everyone had their individual input, I thought it was necessary to also do a questionnaire to see if anyones views had differed. 

This method is quick and easy and a convenient way to collect data. 

As this method was slightly more anonymous, I did want to keep the data similar by asking the children to kindly write their name at the top of the questionaire. This was the mere fact of locating who was influenced and not. Steph has mentioned this is her blog that a focus gorup wasn't her favourite, as this is a negative outcome for research. However, I did ensure the students that only myself would be scanning the data and it would be extremly confidetial work.

Consenting the students and the parents for taking part in the survey was a primary need, this is something I feel everyone should do first as without the consent of participants we can not experiment. I located a time and place that was convenient for everyone and ensure that this would take 10/15 minutes to fill out. using the studio again and if the students wanted to be in private they could.

This method was structure as I wanted all the questions to be exactly the same so to get honest opinions. The questionaire had a 1-5 answer on it which you circle the one you think is appropriate. However, I did ensure a few lines under every question so students could elaborate. 

Again ensuring that the temperature of the room was suitable and the students did not seize up straight after attending and performing a class.

Reflecting

I feel that this was a postive method and the data collect had various answers included. Bringing to my attention that in the focus group all students were engaging and responding well to one another, however in the survey some answers differed. I feel that I did the correct way to approach this by using the same focus group to see what students really thought of the inquiry.

Critical thought- Reading through the data the students did ask me "Why are we doing this again?" as they thought it was a test. I wanted to ensure that I could get the vital data, and doubting that as the participants were students influence has a bigger impact.

The issue of time had no impact on the students inconvenience and was a quick and easy method for data collection. The only limitation I located from a survey was the students and I could not elaborate on the answers and discuss why that particular opinion, which I feel is necessary on the basis of this topic.

Pilot Focus Group

Why have I used a Focus Group?

The primary factor of carrying out a Focus group was to achieve as many different varied views as possible. The possible outcome of having a focus group was to discuss and generate the issues in my inquiry with students that may be thinking of starting a dance career. Being aware of the influenced by "louder" students in the class as not turn into a debate.
This is method all is an easy way to collect data and enable the students to feed off each other in a short period of time. As the students have a variety of backgrounds and knowledge and I anticipated the efficiency of their feedback would impact the inquiry hugely.

Preparing

• Firstly receiving consent forms of the parent and carers was the most professional and ethical proceeder that had to be taken. Ensuring that only the students that held a consent form with a valid signature on could part take.
• Take into account the timing of the interview. I anticipated 30/40 minutes for this interview. Noting that the participants are students, it was unethical and unprofessional to keep them for a lengthy amount of time. 
• Deciding that after a class would be the best environment for the students to really express their views and answer questions constructively. As this is a "common ground" for both it made sense and is less inconvenient for parents and carers.
• For method of interview I decided to semi structure the interview, as I anticipated from interviewing Natalie that the students would discuss further and engage with each other more.
• To have evidence of the interview my idea was to record on my phone again, as to not waste time and to be have my full attention on the students.
• Also taking into account the temperature of the room, as the students had just finished dancing I did not want there to be any injuries if they got too cold. Ensuring that the room was a warm temperature and their was water at hand.

Reflecting

Reflecting on the interview has given me the extra knowledge for my inquiry. Primarily my key thought was receiving varied opinions. However many of the students opinions, generated from backgrounds, gender and age. For the students to answer the questions the only foundation they know are what has been taught through personal backgrounds. Therefore, it allowed them to engage with each other and expand on their own views. Many issues were also brought up such as financial, time and supportive parents, where they were either low budgets, didn't have enough time to turn a hobby into a career or the mere fact of support at home mentally. This enable me to be critical about my question and the terminology used. As I am addressing the question to students consideration has to be taken into account, that not all students have the same views as the employers and fellow dancers. I think revising the shape of my questions needs to be taken into consideration, as the words benefit and easy do not apply the same to everyone.

The effectiveness of this tool was interesting and brought questions to my attention, especially about my inquiry. It produced valuable data and was enjoyable. The students were able to engage with one another and discuss their views, which was interesting for me to listen to and join in with. As I was aware of the influential people in the group, I was relatively surprised that all the students had a strong opinion on this subject and were out spoken even if others disagreed. When they were engaging and answering the questions, I made sure for others to not interrupt and to put their hand up if they wanted to comment. This worked effectively as if not proceeded like so, it would of added to the noise and turned into a debate rather than discussion. This was also for the needs of evidence and recording.

Overall this tool was useful and impacted on my critical thoughts and inquiry well. I feel that this my be a method I may use in the future.