Formulating a Research Question

Aims of the lecture•To introduce Assessment Tasks B&C

•To help you to identify a suitable research topic

•To identify what is meant by a research question

•To consider strategies for helping you to develop suitable research questions

Due DatesAssessment Task B: Research Portfolio is due on March 22nd 2010

Assessment Task C: Research Project is due on May 3rd 2010

Both assessment tasks must be submitted to the CVCS department

on the second floor of Evolution House by noon on the due date!

Assessment Task B: Research PortfolioWhat is a research portfolio?A collection of material from a variety of sources on a particular topic which is put together in a logical format to communicate issues arising from the chosen topic.

What’s the point?•It can help you to identify useful sources and questions about your chosen research topic, this in turn will help you complete Task C, the Research Project•It should help you to develop your research skills•It will help to give us a picture of how your research skills are developing and gives us an opportunity to give you constructive feedback to help you develop further.

Please read the brief in your handbook carefully and discuss any concerns with your tutor

How do I pick a topic?

Your topic must be from within the realms of Visual CultureIt could be from the field of art, design, advertising, film, television, illustration, fashion, cyber-culture or any other visual area.

Choose a topic that interests youRemember that this is a sustained project –you will be researching and writing about the same topic for Task B and Task C

But…Be careful if it is a topic you are passionate about –remember that we will be expecting an objective, analytical appraisal

Also…consider:How easy will it be to get enough information?Is the topic too big (or too small) for the constraints of the project?Does the topic allow you to form a good research question and show your analytical skills?

Can I find enoughinformation from avariety of sources?

How can I avoid myresearch projectbeing too descriptiveor biographical?

What questions couldI ask?

How do I pick a topic?Example 1:Yoko Ikeno, Fashion Illustrator

Design for Paul & Joe, 2003

How will I avoidhaving too muchinformation?

How can I avoid myresearch projectbeing too descriptiveor biographical?

What questions couldI ask?

How do I pick a topic?

Example 2: Futurism

Balla, Speed of a Motorcar, 1913

What is a research question?

•A research question allows you to investigate a particular aspect of your topic analytically

•By choosing an appropriate question, you can avoid being overly descriptive, or simply regurgitating information that already exists

•Once you have a topic, your initial research will help you to identify suitable questions

•Alternatively, you may begin with an issue that leads you to question particular visual evidence

Why have a question?

It guides your researchIt allows you to seek what others have written

What makes a good question?•Is it interesting?•Is it researchable?•Is it significant?•Is it manageable?

Finding a question from a topicInitial research:• Not much information on Ikeno except she is contemporary, successful and uses digital technology

• Her work seems to be part of a trend back towards illustration

Find a question that expands thetopic, e.g:How has digital technology played a part in the resurgence of popularity of illustration in fashion magazines?

Yoko Ikeno, Fashion Illustrator

Design for Paul & Joe, 2003

Finding a question from a topic

Initial research:•Many artists and artworks•Many theorists and writers•Manifestos•Utopian clothing design•Modernism and Modernity

Find a question that limits thetopic, e.g:How does the artwork of theFuturist Movement reflect theirinterest in progress andtechnology?

Futurism

Balla, Speed of a Motorcar, 1913

Finding a question from an issue

Make sure the emphasis of the question is on the visual aspect of the topic,e.g. ‘What are the causes of eating disorders in the UK?’ ‘How is the rise in eating disorders in the UK reflected and commented on by contemporary artists?’

Jenny Saville, Propped, 1992 Tracey Emin, Still from Why I Never Became aDancer, 1995

Finding a question from an issueMake sure the emphasis of the question is on the visual aspect of the topic,e.g.‘Was the Iraq war justified?’‘How might the use of photo-evidence prior to the invasion of Iraq affect our acceptance of photography as truth?’

Finding a question from an issueAvoid questions that could have an obvious or short answer, e.g.‘Are women influenced by female imagery in women’s magazines?‘In what ways are women influenced by female imagery in women’s magazines?

Dove, Campaign for Real Beauty, 2006

Mind Maps / Brainstorming / Spider Diagrams

Forming a Research Question

Ask yourself:•what would I really like to find the answer to?•is it within my scope to find the answer?•can I use specific examples to narrow my question?

Narrow question by:• Identifying specific time periods• Identifying specific geographical periods• Identifying specific images or types of image• Identifying specific image producers

•how have marketing strategies for selling mobile phones changed?•how has the packaging and design of mobile phones changed in the UK between 2000 and 2010?•how does the packaging and design of Nokia phones in the UK between 2000 and 2010 reflect changes in the consumer market?

Forming a Research Questionmobile phonemarketing strategies

the mobile phone as a symbol of identity

•do mobile phones reflect the identity of their owners?•in what ways do mobile phones reflect the identity of their owners?•how is mobile phone advertising used to portray and promote aspects of identity and social belonging?•how does mobile phone advertising promote social and cultural diversity or stereotypes, with particular reference to the current Nokia advertising campaign?

Tips on Research

•All CVCS assignments from now until you graduate require you to develop and demonstrate research skills•The ability to research is a valuable skill for college, studio practice, employment and all other aspects of life

So try to …• find information from a wide range of different types of sources (books, newspaper articles, websites, etc)• examine the credibility of your sources• collect primary evidence (visit galleries or shops, watch films and TV, interview relevant people etc), where appropriate• avoid questionnaires which take a lot of time for little reward• use specific examples to narrow research

Tips on Analysis•All CVCS assignments from now until you graduate require you to develop and demonstrate analytical skills•The ability to analyse information is a valuable skill for college, studio practice, employment and all other aspects of life

So try to …• compare & contrast images to show critical engagement• compare and contrast author’s views to avoid beingdescriptive• only present information that helps to justify yourargument• use visual analysis to illustrate and back up your points• ANSWER YOUR QUESTION!