Context of Practice 3 Research Proposal Jess Dawson
It all started with COP2…
To what extent has Illustration constructed our understanding or view of historical events and perceptions of truth?
Summer Research & Reflection following COP3 proposal feedback… • Extensive research into psychedelic posters of 1960’s San Francisco • Categorise visual research into specific depicted psychedelic drugs • Are there themes, subjects, colours, patterns etc, that are specific to each? • What are these visuals attempting to depict, convey, say to their audience? • Keep up to date with talks, workshops, events and festivals providing relevant information • Identify a problem, i.e. misinformation / taboo about psychedelics • Be academic - Be concise – Push project into new territories
Pinning down my research question / title… • How has illustration constructed our view and understanding of psychedlic substances and the counter culture movement of the 1960’s? • To what extent has illustration constructed our view and understanding of the psychedelic experience? • Psychedlia: - To what extent has illustration contructed our understanding or view of the counterculture movement of the 1960’s? • How have the stigmas attached to psychedelia and substance use affected the way society values psychedelic art? • To what extent have psychedelic substances and the counterculture movement of the ‘60’s had an impact on modern creativity?
HELP!
Currently researching… • Key texts & history of psychedelia (top center, bottom center) • Artists at the forefront of the counterculture movement – Wes Wilson (right) • Podcasts – Terrance McKenna • Articles on impact & taboo (left) • Dissertation help (below right)
Question-type flow chart Find out which type is right for your survey
Ideas for primary research:
It’s not always clear which type of question will yield the type of response you want. Luckily, this handy flow chart will guide you to the right decision. Start at the top and follow the arrows through gray decision points to get to green endpoints. Once you get to the question type you’re looking for, click the green endpoint to find out more about it. Happy flowing!
• Survey aimed at creatives – LCA Students • Survey aimed at psychedelic communities - Online, forums (Shroomery..) - Festival goers • Contact leading psychologists/scientists/profs - Ben Sessa - Breaking Convention contacts, speakers • Contact leading artists – Alex Grey
Aims for this research: • Open up a dialogue – get people talking & interested – spread awareness • Gain better understanding of opinion // taboo • Data collection & case studies - real psychedelic experiences and how this has impacted peoples lives • Knowledge & understanding of Scientific & community views of psychedelics & my research approach / question / project • Help and suggestions in moving forward
So, you’re writing a survey question...
Yes
Do you want people to answer in their own words?
No
I don’t know
Use an open-ended question!
Do you want to make charts and graphs with your survey data?
No
Use a closed-ended question! But which kind?
Yes
I don’t know
No
Does your question NEED to be easy to take on a mobile device?
Yes
Add an “Other (Please specify)” answer option to a multiple choice question
One that still lets people answer in their own words
No! Let them give multiple
Use a multiple-answer multiple choice question!
Do you want to limit responses to just one answer option?
The simplest kind
Yes! There can be only one
Do you want to give answer options in a dropdown menu format?
Do you want people to rate something on a scale? Yes
Something a little more special
No
No
Yes
Do you want people to rank each of the answer options against each other?
Do you want to ask people how much they agree or disagree with a statement?
Use a single-answer multiple choice question!
Use a dropdown question! Yes
No
Yes
Use a Likert scale question!
Use a ranking question!
It’s probably best to just use multiple choice questions.
No
Use a simple rating scale question
But wait! There’s more!
Do you want to use the more serious option or something a bit more fun?
Do you want to get more specific? Like rating the quality of a product or service?
Serious
Fun
Use an NPS question
Try a star rating question!
Do you have several of these questions, all using the same scale?
Yes
These question types are often hard to take on mobile devices, which as much as 50% of people use to take surveys
1 2 3
It’s probably best to just use multiple choice questions.
Consider using a matrix of questions
Ideas for practical response: “Provide an answer to the problem…”
Posters • set // series // collection • Artwork reminiscent of the 1960’s movement • Subject matter depicts real life case studies (results from survey and data collecting) • Case study: A trip on a specific substance most important / profound / unforgettable to the subject • Each poster centered around an individual psychedelic substance, specific experience whilst on that substance, specific aesthetics related to that substance • Positive psychedelic propaganda – bring even deeper meaning to the artwork. • Exploring consciousness – visually – a method of communicating the psychedelic experience • OR - Information posters – educating about the substance and challenging stigma
“BEAWARE” – Self help illustrated pack • Illustrated pamphlet and goodies to educate someone planning on experiencing a trip, how to have a safe and enlightening experience, how to help someone having a difficult time • Could be rolled out at festivals, doctors, events, workshops, talks and conferences • Educate people about different psychedelic substances – general knowledge – abolish stigma & spread the truth • Aimed at those interested • Name: play on “beware” – common taboo surrounding substances
Publication • Science meets profound experience • Combine both previous ideas? • Collection of tear out prints / psychedelic poster art based on the different experiences / effects of individual substances • OR a book made up of bound pockets. Each page is a pocket, illustrated to convey what each substance, plant in its natural form looks like. Botanical / scientific? • Inside each page / pocket is a pull out print of the experience to be had whilst tripping on that specific substance. • Include a pull-out info card inside pocket also about each specific drug? Or include this as the text on the outside of the pocket? • Explain the profound psychedelic experience depicted in the pull out poster? • OR an illustrated story book focusing on 1 persons psychedelic experience
Substances to investigate visually: • LSD? (Unnatural but can this be missed?) • LSA • Ayahuasca • DMT
• Psilocybin • Mescaline • Salvia • Ibogaine
Worries • Project needs focus & direction – which way do I go? • Worried about repeating myself (COP2) • Not enough relevant / subject specific sources, information or depth for a “juicy” dissertation research project • Feel more confident for practical than I do the written – is this ok? Do I just roll with it? • Drowning in research – feel blind • Scared of making a mistake / running out of time • Can’t pin down my title – too much I want to say vs no specific argument / direction • What will make a good research project out of the info and topic I have chosen - need help!
Action Plan NOW – 16/10 • Get help with my above worries! • Choose my research question / working title • Focus / filter my research appropriately • Start bibliography • Draft dissertation structure • Draft primary research approaches (survey, questionnaire, emails) • Update blog - post drafts 17/10 – 01/11 • Primary research – send out surveys & emails • Stop researching! • Begin writing passages in response to the growing list of questions I want to answer throughout my research project • Collate and respond to primary research / data collected both visually and theoretically (for dissertation) • Make artwork / visually respond to research • Update blog - post drafts 02/11 – 26/11 • Finalise & organise all draft passages and quotes into dissertation structure (intro, main body, conclusion) • Complete references & bibliography •Have a clear plan for my practical response • Update blog - post drafts
Interim Draft – complete for 27/11/16
Thanks for listening J Any help, questions or suggestions?