This module is about further examining my professional practice to define a line of inquiry by extending the skills learnt in the previous module and exploring new tools and techniques. I currently work in several professional practices and I am keen to make use of as many areas as possible; however, I am foremost a dancer and my special interest is the image aspect of the profession.
My strategy was to start with an idea and to refine the subject into a title. Firstly, I used my interest in costumes as a spring board to ask my initial questions. I used my blog to reflect on the course reader and posted my first set of questions. I then used a SIG to encourage further feedback and pushed my questions out to a wider network within my professional practice. I also had some informal chats with my employers and colleagues to get a more rounded and richer viewpoint.
Some of the responses were really helpful and I started to think about how costumes support confidence and image. I also engaged in some other SIGs which I felt were relevant and I could contribute to; for example, Musical Theatre, TV Industry. On reflecting on the comments, feedback and information gained from the other SIGs I started to challenge my broad ideas and develop my questions. At this stage I was still not confident on an award title.
I then moved on to carry out research specifically around professional ethics. I started this exercise by baselining my knowledge on what I already knew about the code of conduct for my area of professional practice. I then researched the topic and recorded the differences between my initial thoughts and my findings.
I soon began to realise how intricate and delicate a subject this was, especially when conducting a professional inquiry. The research gave me a firm understanding, foundation and a structure to use in the planning and execution of my inquiry. It made me realise that ethics is a core part of any professional practice and although some areas are common there are some profession specifics. It also made me think about my personal values and compromise I would be willing to make in order to further my career.
At this stage I made my first attempt at an award title and started to investigate inquiry tools. It was when I planned and piloted the inquiry tools I exposed my lack of confidence I had in my title. I struggled with defining suitable questions and used a very qualitative approach to the survey which I felt did not suit that specific tool; this view was supported by some of the participant feedback. I used a semi-structured format for the 1:1 interviews and organised a focus group which helped me explore some areas further.
When reflecting on the approach and outcome of the pilot inquiry tools I realised the quality of response to the survey was poor and the 1:1 interviews only answered part of my inquiry. I then looked back at my initial questions and comments to see how I could improve on them and redefine my title.
My last task was to review and research some key pieces of literature related to my interest. Initially I struggled to find any appropriate, useful or relevant information and it was only when a related document presented itself that I realised what I wanted for my line of inquiry and award title. Having settled on a title I then found a wealth of resources and I chose three pieces of literature to review.
Although I found the process very frustrating, I finally realised that what you don’t know is as important as what you do know. My line of inquiry is going to be Personal Branding.
