After the first campus session this term, I started the module with a clear idea of what topic I would like to base an inquiry on. At the session the question ‘What is it you want to know?’ was posed, for which the answer was how to break into a new industry, specifically television presenting. From this I was able to develop a set of sub questions (Appendix A) which has shaped my pending inquiry.
Through blogging these questions I received initial comments on my topic from tutors as well as other students. This in turn led me to research other ideas about presenting that had not been previously considered. For example, a comment was made by Paula Nottingham: ‘Tell us about the presenting business - what is it - who does it- are there different levels of presenting - what are the competencies or capabilities?’ (Nottingham, 2011). After researching these ideas I wrote up my findings in a blog post (Appendix B). This solidified my understanding and allowed me to further develop my questions.
Through the introduction of SIGs on the Middlesex University facebook page I was able to create my own group entitled ‘The Television industry’ (Appendix C), where I discussed my questions with others who had similar interests. This was important as the discussion led to further new ideas, including the importance of genuine passion on the presenting subject versus developing skills to ‘fake it’ (Adeyinka 2011). This led me to consider the necessary skills to be a good presenter which now forms a sub section of my pending inquiry.
Through developing my questions within the professional community I gained the opinions of a television agent and a friend who is attempting career transition (Appendix D). I used their knowledge and experiences to decide which other sub questions I would investigate in my actual inquiry. Their ideas on whether television was a more stable career than dancing were contrasting. I therefore felt that the pressures and demands of the television industry would be an interesting topic to explore further, through another sub section of my planned inquiry, in order to understand the stability of a career in presenting.
I formed my own ideas on a code of practice for a dance teacher (Appendix E) by analysing ethics. Furthermore, I looked into an official code of conduct from my employer (Appendix F), indicating that there were rules that I had not previously considered, including the importance of having full knowledge of all risks involved. This helped me in acquiring a base knowledge of ethical practice, most of which I previously adhered to naturally. This made the understanding of the ethics reader more relevant to my practice.
After studying the ethical theories presented in the reader (Appendix G) I discovered that there are ethical ideas that can help me be a better professional during my inquiry and in the long-term. By being aware of the organisational ethics in the work place, I can now comply with ethical standards, for example gaining permission from interview participants in my inquiry to eliminate disruption in their workplace.
From piloting various inquiry tools such as an interview, survey, observation and focus group, I gained important experience of using the tools that would help me research ideas during my inquiry. After conducting the pilots I assessed the merits and limitations of each tool (Appendix H) and concluded the methods that would be most useful in obtaining results for my inquiry.
Through locating pieces of literature already written on my topic I was able to review ideas that others have had on career transition among dancers (Appendix I). From the literature I identified gaps in the existing research, including a lack of research on dancers in the UK compared to those in other European countries. This has helped me to form my inquiry as I aim to cover many of the gaps identified during literature analysis. I then bookmarked this literature and other useful research sites using Delicious. This site allows ease for frequent access to refer to previously saved literature for quotes or research. By creating my own Delicious profile (Appendix J) I can also see what sites other students have bookmarked, to help expand material for my literature review.
All of the tasks undertaken have helped convince me that my inquiry into dancers and career transition will be beneficial for my professional practice. They have allowed me to gain enough research, knowledge and experience to plan my pending investigation into the most effective way to make a transition from dancer to television presenter.
Appendix B:http://natalieless.blogspot.com/2011/03/questions-and-background-research.html
Appendix J:http://www.delicious.com/natalie_less
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