22nd November 2021
Today I managed to present something in a seminar without having a panic attack, (it seems to be a current theme).
The seminar was focussing on data analyses, there was a lot to take in, but I’m feeling positive.
I am starting to visualise my project as a whole entity, even though there’s still so much to do.
I really enjoyed one of the tasks working with some data of a transcribed conversation, deleting words to create a poem. Time was tight, ten minutes to do this, so I couldn’t think it through, but just worked intuitively and randomly. I noticed I was often looking out for phrases about feelings or ambiguous statements. While working I began asking myself questions about other ways I could be selecting data, and some of the methods I’d read or heard about started popping into my head, like using ‘I’ statements, or looking at metaphors. I was also aware of a need to make meaning out of what I was doing, and how I could manipulate meaning by the way I edit, which was a good lesson when it comes to realising the pitfalls of analysing data.
This activity reminded me of an idea I might borrow from a book of graphic design assignments (Paim et al 2014), referring to “Loose Associations” by Ryan Gander where subject matter of a conversation “subtly changes along it’s course as those involved make mental leaps in response to certain triggers.” These changes could be mapped visually, taking a new turn at points where the conversations subject changes. I like the idea and am considering visually mapping conversations in my data, perhaps with a different set of rules that correspond more with the research question. Something to experiment with.
References
Paim, N. Gisel, C. and Bergmark, E. (2014) Taking a Line for aWalk Assignments in Design Education, Spector Books. p83
Hi Rochelle,
I hope that you’re having less panic attacks and getting even more of a sense of pulling things together – I’m really trying hard to do that too. I’m looking through notes I took on seminars and saw that I said I’d send you info about Tina Cook’s ‘The Purpose of Mess in Action Research: building rigour through a messy turn’. I hope this might be something you can use? maybe you have already! I’ve been finding it really useful especially the section called ‘Ways of Seeing’ which refers to David Hockney talking about breaking down the wall between the viewer and the view. She’s referring to the presentation of visual information along with different ways of bringing together different ways bringing research together. The implication being that even if there are many facets to something (she talks about trying to ‘capture a kaleidoscope, which is exactly what this feels like to me!) you can make the journey towards clarity the whole point of the exercise. I’m trying to say, i guess, that I’ve realised that its the journey here, not the arrival, that counts. Hope it goes well and good luck on the 10th Jan.
Hi Sara,
Many thanks for that, it does sound good I’ll take a look at it.
I’m doing ok, am avoiding the panic for now. I’ve got quite involved with the thematic analysis process and am following it through, am learning a lot, and especially how I could do things differently if I was undertaking it all again, but all is good. I like what you are saying about the journey and not the end result. I’m thinking along the same lines about my project. Thanks for the support wishing you well with your project and for the 10th too!