The document discusses various research methodologies that can be used for dissertations and practice as research projects, including secondary research, theoretical frameworks, performance analysis, historiography, ethnography, action research, experimental research, and practice as research. For each methodology, it provides guidance on how to identify relevant sources and topics, define the approach, prepare documentation, gain necessary approvals, and ensure the methodology enables the student to effectively answer their research questions, gather required data, and communicate their findings. Maintaining organized records throughout the research process is also emphasized.

1. Conducting your
research: preparation
DISSERTATION AND PRACTICE AS RESEARCH
Week
5
Dissertation
and
Practice
as
Research

2. Threshold Criteria (Dissertation)
 Demonstrate a detailed subject knowledge of well-established discipline
discourses and research methodologies.
 Critically apply appropriate methods of analysis and evaluation within
your project, synthesising a range of theories and approaches.
 Communicate ideas using appropriate conventions of grammar, spelling
and formatting, with a clear structure and adequate application of
referencing and paraphrasing.
 Work autonomously to source a relevant range of primary and secondary
research sources through selection and evaluation.
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

3. Threshold Criteria (PaR)
 Demonstrate a detailed subject knowledge of well-established discipline
discourses and practice-led/based research methodologies.
 Critically apply appropriate practice-as-research methods of analysis and
evaluation within your project, synthesising a range of theories and
practical approaches.
 Communicate ideas using appropriate technical and interpretative skills
and presentation and production values, grammar, spelling and use of
audio-visual technologies, with an adequate application of referencing.
 Work autonomously to source a relevant range of primary and secondary
research sources through both practical and theoretical engagement,
with selection and evaluation.
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

4. Threshold Criteria
 Subject knowledge – previous research, understanding and articulating
key ideas, debates, theories and methods
 Application of knowledge – designing an appropriate study – appropriate
methods – synthesised to critique your topic/practice
 Communication skills – written, spoken and performance skills –
appropriate grammar, spelling etc. appropriate technical application
 Independent research – sourcing appropriate research to support and
strengthen your own understanding
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

5. Secondary Research
 Identify relevant key topics/practitioners/practices
 Conduct a literature search
 Identify key words
 Locate the sources
 Discover Library Catalogue
 Routledge Performance Archive
 Bibliographies/ Reference Lists from your initial reading
 Evaluate the sources
 Rigorous (who, what kind of publication, where, when)
 Relevant
 Subject knowledge
 Independent research
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

6. Theoretical Framework
 Identify relevant key theories/theorists
 Conduct a literature search
 Identify key words
 Locate the sources
 Discover Library Catalogue
 Routledge Performance Archive
 Bibliographies/ Reference Lists from your initial reading
 Evaluate the sources
 Academically rigorous (who, what kind of publication, where,
when)
 Relevant
 Subject knowledge
 Application of
knowledge
 Independent research
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

7. Performance Analysis
 Identify key works for analysis
 Define approach to data collection
 Semiotics analysis
 Laban analysis
 Prepare supporting documentation
 Laban sheet – performer, movement, sound, space
 Patrice Pavis Questionnaire
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

8. Historiography
 Define approach to data collection
 Literature based search (see previous slides on
secondary research)
 Primary research (see following slides on participatory
research)
 Identify key sources
 Contact archives for access
 Prepare supporting documentation (see slides on
secondary research/participatory research)
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

9. Ethnography / Participant research
 Decide on who you would like to contact
 Get contact details
 Gate holders?
 Book space/ decide on video conferencing software?
 Define approach to data collection
 Interview / Questionnaire / Focus Group
 Observation / Participation
 Prepare supporting documentation
 Consent forms
 Explanatory paragraph
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

10. Ethnography / Participant research
 Interview/Questionnaire/Focus Group
 Further reading on interview/questionnaire design
 Put together draft interview questions/questionnaire
questions
 Questionnaires: do you want qualitative or quantitative
responses? Likert scale?
 Avoid leading questions
 Think about order of questions – broad to specific
 Get feedback – test it out
 Refine language
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

11. Ethnography / Participant research
 Observation/Participation
 Further reading on observation/participation
practice
 Prepare method of data collection
 Identify what reflective process you will draw upon
 Schön’s reflective practitioner
 Gibbs’ reflective cycle
 Kolb’s learning theory
 Price and Maier’s 3R approach
 Prepare reflective journal
 Video recording – book cameras
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

12. Action Research
 Decide on who you would like to work with
 Get contact details
 Gate holders?
 Book space, video camera, decide on video conferencing software
etc
 Define particular intervention
 Do further reading on approach/activity
 Plan workshops/ activity and progression
 Define approach to data collection
 Interview / Questionnaire / Focus Group
 Observation / Participation
 Prepare supporting documentation
 Consent forms
 Explanatory paragraph
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

13. Action Research/
Experimental Research
 Decide on who you would like to work with
 Get contact details
 Gate holders?
 Book space / decide on video conferencing software
 Define particular intervention
 Do further reading on approach/activity
 Plan workshops/ activity and progression
 Define approach to data collection
 Interview / Questionnaire / Focus Group
 Observation / Participation
 Scientific tests - bias, reproducibility
 Prepare supporting documentation
 Consent forms
 Explanatory paragraph
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

14. Practice as Research
 Decide on who you would like to work with
 Autobiographical
 With others
 Book space, cameras, video conferencing software etc.
 Define particular focus
 Process – improvisation, choreographic, devising
 Product – performance, documentary film
 Plan workshops – find music, tasks, etc.
 Define approach to data collection
 Interview / Questionnaire / Focus Group
 Observation / Participation
 Journaling – prepare questions?
 Prepare supporting documentation
 Consent forms
 Explanatory paragraph
 Application of
knowledge
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

15. Write up?
 How will your research design, methodology and
methods enable you to:
 Ask your research questions?
 Action your design
 Gather the data you need
 Why are these the most appropriate methods?
 What are the steps that you have taken to ensure
reliability, reduce bias, etc.
 Application of
knowledge
 Communication skills
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research

16. Records
 Keep a list of sources – bibliography
 Keep a list of search terms used
 Keep track of the decisions you make regarding
methods – and why you changed your mind
 Keep records of the draft versions of
questionnaires, workshop plans
 Design record keeping documents
Week 5
Dissertation and Practice as Research
 Subject knowledge
 Application of
knowledge
 Independent research

17. Ethical
Approval
Remember you cannot
make contact or start
working with participants
until you have received
ethical approval
Dissertation and Practice as Research Week 5