This is always the hardest bit, getting started again! It seems like such a long break since the last module!!
I've started the module off by re-reading everything I did last module and getting my head back in it again. I then had a conversation with Paula about where I was and just tried to clarify everything again!
I've spent a few hours today drafting a survey that will be my first form of data collection for my enquiry. The title of my enquiry is:
An exploration of dance teachers and dance students perceived benefits of dance education within the styles of street/creative dance.
The survey I have started with will be the one I give to students, aged 14-18, but I'm not happy with it yet. Here it is:
Please have a read and tell me what you think!
6 comments:
Hey Liam,
Yep, this seems to be the mantra of all on the BAPP programme at the moment, back to it! Looked at the survey and I think it's a good place to start. Is there a reason why it's so short? I did feel like it just took off then ended. But also, a really long drawn out survey can have a negative effect on 14-18 year olds. What was your thinking?
Hi Ahmet, thanks for commenting and helping to get the ball rolling!
The survey is short at the moment for the simple reason that so far I can't think of any other questions to ask that will give me answers essential to the data I'm trying to collect.
I did some extensive googling on tips for writing surveys, and one tip that kept cropping up was to keep it as short as possible. For example, the first tip under this link - http://www.accesscable.net/~infopoll/tips.htm -
I would like to add two or three more questions, but until I think of a question that will provide me with answers essential to my data I'm going to stick with what I have already and tweek and hone it.
I also intend to follow up the surveys with interviews, so any other information I require will be able to be acquired then.
What do you think?
Thinking about it now, before I started this course, if I was given a survey I nearly always look at the length first. I always enjoyed it if I thought the questions were fun or thought provoking. I think people like to answer questions about something they are passionate about. So I think you are right, a shorter survey containing essential questions could be better. I guess it's about knowing your audience and playing to there strengths. A mature teacher and a 14 year old student would react to a survey differently. Is it our job as the researcher to adapt he delivery of the survey?
Great idea to follow up with interview. Then the survey could set the tone for the conversation you are about to have...
What do you think?
Exactly. I still have to design the survey that I will be giving the teachers, but I know it will be completely different to the one I'm issuing the students. I will be able to use more complex language and enquire into more complex and mature subjects, and I expect it will probably end up being a longer survey. It's all about adapting to your subjects!
Yes that is my intention with the interview, to base some of it around the survey and use it to gain deeper qualitative data to go with the quantitative.
Hi Liam,
Nice to be back in touch...only 12 weeks to go!
In order to be able to help you possibly come up with some further yet necessary questions, could you briefly let me know what it is you are trying to find out from this survey?
Sarah
hi sarah!
It feels weird to be starting all this up again doesn't it!? feels like an age since we were last on here! I looked at my last post date, it was April!!!! Anyway, great to hear from you!
Here is an excerpt from my Professional Enquiry Plan which explains what it's all about:
"This enquiry seeks to explore the perceived benefits of dance education in order to broaden my own knowledge, and as a teacher, become more in tune with what the expectations of my students are. Further more, in including other teachers in the enquiry I hope to gain a broader perspective on attitudes towards the teaching of dance.
This enquiry is focused on gaining insight into what teachers and students believe are the benefits of studying dance and dance education."
Since writing this post I have posted another with a revised questionare that Fione has already given me some great advise on...maybe take a look at that one now you what my enquiry is about and see what you can suggest?
Thanks for taking the time to comment!!
Liam.
Post a Comment