14 May
2013
14 May
'13
6:23 p.m.
Aahz wrote:
Obviously, you'll need to do some research on
proper technique for
obtaining study participants. I'd suggest that getting support from
dance organizers would help; you should definitely do
your study over an
extended period of time (to find people who like me are seasonal dancers
or who only show at random times when their schedule permits, which is
also true for me when I'm busy).
Aahz is correct. On the other hand I am cautious that many who would
attempt to delve into important questions will be intimidated by lots of
folks with critiques of survey methodology. These days many folks are
"experts" on survey science and are quick to dismiss any study that does
not meed the most rigorous standards. This may be well-intentioned but
inappropriate for the study being critiqued. One of my best instructors
once reminded us that survey research occurs at many levels. Your survey
might not meet the rigorous standards of a major funded study but it may
also be the most rigorous and structured scientific inquiry into the
subject area at hand to date. Simply ask your critics how many subjects *they
*interviewed and how *they* selected *their *participants. Your survey is
likely to be the definitive study on your chosen subject. Those who
question your methodology are likely depending on a few late night
conversations at dance camps for *their *data. Go for it!
You also need to think about your goal(s), whether it's to provide useful
information for the dance community, support your
academic career, etc.;
that'll likely influence both how you structure your study and how you
find your participants.
Absolutely. Who will read your report and what will they do with that
information? Keep your goal(s) in mind.
- Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA