Training Workshops : Using Unusual Data
Date: Thursday 19th November 2009, 10.00am - 4pm
Location: Arthur Lewis Boardroom (2nd Floor) (Directions)
Workshop organiser: Brian Heaphy and Carol Smart
Workshop summary
This workshop focuses on using, working with and analysing unusual data as part of a research project. It will concentrate on conceptual and practical issues and include introductions to using music elicitation, historical letters, wardrobe research and online surveys as well. There will also be some hands-on practice.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10.00 | Registration, tea and coffee |
| 10.30 | 'How to research people's relationship with music' Nicola Allett (University of Manchester) This session discusses the use of music elicitation and memory work in recurring semi-structured group interviews to uncover the relationship people have with music. Drawing on my research with Extreme Metal fans I consider the success of these methods in aiding the uncovering of memories, feelings and attachments. |
| 11.30 | 'How to research networks with diaries and letters' Gemma Edwards (University of Manchester) This session will look at how historically archived diaries and letters can be used to research social networks, drawing upon research into suffragette networks. Social network analysis has suffered from overly quantitative approaches in recent years, presenting a need to explore how qualitative sources such as these can be utilised. |
| 12.30 | Lunch |
| 1.30 | 'How and why to do wardrobe research' Sophie Woodward (University of Manchester) This session will look at both how and why to carry out research into wardrobes; it will outline my own previous research into women's wardrobes, which involved using the items of clothing as a prompt to access stories and memories about women's lives and relationships to others. The research also looked into how assemblages are made, and outfits chosen, as a way to interrogate the construction of particular identities. |
| 2.30 | 'How and why to research with online surveys' Karen McCullagh (CCSR,University of Manchester) The response rates to traditional survey methods - postal and telephone - have been in decline over the past decade, and for many types of research are not cost effective. This session will focus on the potential advantages of using an online survey to collect data, as if it is used innovatively, for example, promoted through Youtube and through high-profile bloggers and discussion boards, it can become self-promoting and generate high levels of responses. |
| ` | Close |
Registration and fees
Standard NCRM fees apply:
- £60 - staff of academic or not-for-profit organisations
- £30 - student/unwaged
- £220 - other
Delegates will need to register (and pay the course fee) in advance to secure a place.
Directions
The workshop will be held in the 2nd Floor Boardroom in the Arthur Lewis building (number 36 on the campus map [opens in new window]). The building is slightly set back on Oxford Road.
If you aren't familiar with the University of Manchester campus, see our Getting Here page [opens in new window].