Methods for Arts and Cultural Research

Learning Outcomes

Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• analyse how collaborative approaches inform the design, completion and evaluation of an independent final project and the integration of arts and cultural sector theory and practice

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how to evaluate and select appropriate methods in formulating an ethically rigorous project design that advances current ideas and debates related to arts and cultural leadership

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• engage with inclusive, ethical and sustainability practices in designing a project that advances your professional development

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• formulate for the Final Project module a project design that demonstrates originality in project management techniques and research methods

In this module you will engage in conversations with peers on your programme and a range of researchers to systematically identify the stages of undertaking a project and reflect on your own research positionality and professional development. Area of focus include:

• Project design and management
• Researcher reflexivity and positionality
• Research ethics
• Research methods
• Data analysis
• Professional development

Issues of sustainability, equity and belonging, and social justice are embedded throughout the exploration of these topics. Likewise, the critical analysis and applied practice of arts and cultural ethical leadership is integrated across the whole programme and connected to the module’s focus on methods.

Your examination of these topics will be aligned with the focus in semester 1 on resources and skills and the Final Project module in which you will undertake an independent project.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods may include:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Student-led presentations
• Independent reading and research

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Seale, C. (2017). Researching Society and Culture 4th edition. SAGE.

Tuhiwai Smith, L. (2021). Decolonizing Methodologies. Zed Books.

Cresswell, J. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE.

Hargreaves, I. and Hartley, J. (2016). The Creative Citizen Unbound: How social media and DIY culture contribute to democracy, communities and the creative economy. Policy Press.

Von Benzon, N., Holton, M., Wilkinson, C and Wilkinson, S (2021). Creative Methods for Human Geographers. SAGE.

Kara, H. (2020). Creative Research Methods: A Practical Guide. Policy Press.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Poster Presentation

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Written and verbal feedback
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.