Mixed methods

Today I am writing the blog from my new hometown: Leeds. I moved last week and look forward to taking part in lots of events and exciting things around my new favourite place in Yorkshire!

This morning, I attended the White Rose research conference on Mixed Methods and, for the first time in a few months, actually started to think about my research design and methodology again. I am hoping to use qualitative research to gather the writing scores as well as the students' perception of how their emotions change because of the film watching. Through qualitative interviews I am going to find out about the students' individual responses to the films. Overall, I am hoping to see (1) whether there is an emotional change when students watch films and (2) whether there is a correlation between this possible change and their motivation for writing.

The most interesting part of the morning was to hear Professor Stephen Gorard from Durham uni speak about the importance of a holistic point of view with regards to research methods. He argues against a division between qualitative and quantitative research, as one should always gather as much evidence as possible, no matter which method. He complained that people make informed decisions in their everyday lives based on all information they have access to, rather than just looking at numbers or 'the rest'. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.

On Friday morning I visited Chris Mayoh at the Innovation Centre in Bradford. Last week, the different schools involved in the literacy scheme I am researching visited the centre to train 'film literacy ambassadors', year 5 students who would then go back to their schools and help other students engage with film. I spent the morning with Wibsey School, who looked at the Pixar short film For the Birds (one of my favourites!). The students came up with some great ideas about the theme of the film and how emotion was illicited.

Last week was also the launch of the new BBC3 production of Carmen, which will take place in the Bradford city centre in June. City of Film are actively involved in the project and I was invited to the press launch. Just a few minutes after the actors, who had introduced the opera, had left the stage we were atcually able to see the BBC coverage at a big screen outside. Very exciting! You can read more about the project here.