Open Research

I completed this online facilitated course, Open Research:

https://p2pu.org/en/courses/2377/open-research/

On the Peer to Peer University, P2PU, it was run by the Open University's OER Research Hub.

What I was hoping for was an insight into research in general, and it turned out to be much more. As well as collecting a great amount of resources for future research projects, it was the collaborative elements - the forums and the google hangouts which were valuable. I didn't really know I could converse with academic researchers about research itself and not come across like a complete and utter idiot. The MA and the PhD proposal have clued me in to Research quite a lot and I feel equipped to approach future research projects, whether an actual PhD or other projects involving institutions. Besides, I do find the whole area very interesting, as a way of understanding ideas.

The course also included some interesting discussions about ethics and dissemination of ideas. Most of the other contributors seemed to be academics often involved with the development of education, research and open learning itself, and a few scientists to boot. But everyone has a perspective and contribution to add, and cross overs from other disciplines and fields are always enlightening. As with the MA it's the sharing and the response which makes ideas come alive.

Openness in research in the arts and humanities are I think highly valued, as many projects are designed with audience engagement in mind. I have come to realise that it helps to be able to speak to the academics and researchers in institutions when making a proposal, or at least to understand their concerns and language.

I don't know what research I will be involved with in time, but there will be research, and it will be largely open.

Some bits from my own comments and contributions:

1.1 What does Openness mean to you?

Great thoughtful comments which all ring true on the mutifacted basic ideas of openness.
To me openness is about access. Sometimes it is difficult to find information because you don't know what you are looking for.

It's the difference between browsing library shelves or being in a system where you have to know and order the books you want.

Openness is leaving a trail or a multiplicity of trails so that people can find information from all the different ways, reasons and methodologies of approach.

So it's understanding that the titling, the labelling, the categorising of knowledge may not be equally understood or read by those seeking it.

Research may have certain conventions, but open research allows for entry from different disciplines.

1.2 What is Open Research?

Perhaps more in the context of art practice, open research is being transparent in the processes of working.          

Often these aspects of art are a bit secretive, partly because it takes discipline and the invention of system of documentation.

Perhaps openness in research is also being in a state of readiness to disclose and to engage in debate.

Initial thought about applying more openness to my work and research...artists are always looking for ways for viewers to understand and engage with their work, and I can see that more open research can link to other debates and conversations, within and outside of the arts.

1.3 What does openness in research mean to others?

In open research there is more potential for loss of control, and the research spreading into unexpected or unintended use.

This dilemma is desirable for researchers, to engage in a wider conversation, yet potentially undesirable, as there are possibilities for unintended change of context.

The process of open research means more transparency built into the research project, releasing selected information before conclusions are reached, engaging in debate along the way, and possibly incorporating suggestions and feedback.

The difference in open research - willingness of others to participate and therefore to get research projects up and running because they are open.

Guerilla and small scale research projects - a very attractive idea.

Compelling - the global network of peers. Excellent way of gathering data and comments to get projects going.

Do you think that in order to become an open researcher you have to be a conventional academic first?

There are certainly things to learn from conventional research - many concepts and also the research language. But having gleaned some basics, I think even conventional researchers are interested in new forms and new methods of research. Everybody likes script that reads well and easily, and I suggest open research reads more easily because it is designed to appeal to people outside of the traditional research and academic environment. It can still be just as credible as conventional research, but there is the potential for a more inventive approach.

I am thinking that open research is not passive but active. It's all very well being available, publishing, blogging, but the difference between traditional and open research seems to be about the audience. Perhaps open research is characterised by the efforts and systems researchers put in place to disseminate ideas and information outside of the usual scope of academic audiences, so that it is not just research for other researchers.

Advantages and Challenges of Open Research

In what ways do you think you can be open at this stage of the research process?
By documenting and perhaps blogging thoughts, processes and potential methodologies which are being considered.

What are the advantages of being 'open' at this stage in the research process?

It requires coherent thinking and clarity of documentation, which in turn may help the planning process itself.

What are the challenges of being 'open' at this stage in the research process?

It may be at too early a stage to invite comment which may be a distraction. There may as yet be elements of the project which are sensitive, and which are yet to transpire, and so being open may disadvantage the project of make it seem less considered.

How could you resolve any challenges?

Probably yet more openness about the challenges themselves. Actually this makes the research a highly reflective process which is a great way of researching and maintaining process and ethics.

In what ways do you think you can be open at this stage of the research process?
Not all research is the same. I feel that perhaps this course discusses more factual research than the arts, which, while conducted under the same methodologies, is sometimes more a voyage of discovery in art practice. Therefore the term data may be much more subjective in an arts research project. Openness in this context may be more self reflective, and is still possible.

What are the advantages of being 'open' at this stage in the research process?

The advantages of openness in the arts context would be in articulating thoughts and ideas which may normally remain embedded within practice. I believe that a reflective art practitioner is more able to communicate thoughts in and outside of art practice, and so this would be an advantage in communicating ideas.

What are the challenges of being 'open' at this stage in the research process?

The artist researcher may expose their ideas and processes before they are formed or at a vulnerable stage. Some processes get worked through and left behind, and the researcher should feel free to abandon directions which are not effective when the project evolves.

How could you resolve any challenges?

Again, openness about the process itself is an effective strategy. Also, I would consider what a video contributor said in the previous unit about being selective about what to publish during a project.

Any further thoughts/comments?

I think the strategy of openness is a direction of travel, but is not an automatic process for everything that happens in a research project. 

2.0 Ethics in the Open

My area of research covers reflective practice, mostly in fine art. This area borrows from and seeps into educational theory, psychology and other disciplines.

Often it involves interviewing artists about their personal methods of working and thinking, and so there are issues of revealing and confidentiality there, and sensitive times in art tutorials and crits, etc.

As a practising artist, any research project I do within an institution highly prizes openness in research for public engagement.

2.2 Institutional Research

I don't currently work in an institution, but I am glad to be made aware of codes of ethics and will research for more.

Up to certain level, a researcher has to rely upon common sense, but once work becomes research, the ethical methodologies are surely one of the criteria which verifies it.

2.3 Research in the Institution and Beyond

I think it's a key point about being transparent about the understanding of openness - researchers would have to define terms as open research is full of moveable definitions. True openness is not just being open but explaining how that is implemented.

I took the NIH course - it's always valuable to see different applications of research principles.

2.4 'Good' Open Research

Sending the request to external teachers makes all subsequent data gathered that way completely invalid as having been obtained by informed consent - the other teachers may have selected, deselected or cooerced students to participate. If anything, he should have passed the survey on to external institutions whose policy he could check, and who could participate in the survey according to agreed principles.

I'm not surprised our group has not yet answered this one - it makes you think. We are in the midst of exploring all these issues, and so it's quite hard to boil them down at this stage into a simple and clear approach. However, without being too complicated, most things can be reduced to steps, and an open researcher would always prioritise transparency. I'd say that along with all attempts and intentions to be clear and open, none of that matters if the researcher does not check for understanding in the participants, and adapt their approach to ensure information is being received and understood.

2.5 Open Research Ethics Summary

Already we have about a year's worth of material to read through and think about. I'm very glad of this introduction to the area and the collation of all the links to explore further. It's hard not to feel skimming over such fascinating issues, full of interesting distractions.

3.1 Open Access Publishing

Having thought about Green and Gold, my thinking turns to as yet unspecified alternatives. certainly as an individual I am used to inventing new practices, although sometimes reinventing wheels.

I came across this clear guide which begins to expand the colours and options. Such is the nature of research and future conditions, it seems useful to come up with easily responsive ideas for changing circumstances, especially for a researcher who works outside and occasionally with institutions - there will be no one size fits all.

http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/documents/sherpaplusdocs/Nottingham-colour-guide.pdf

3.2 Examples of Open Dissemination

Institutions are always particularly banging on about public engagement in the arts, and an open approach to research seems an ideal method of capturing a variety of interests. However, it may also invite many distracting requests and queries. I've seen this happen in a project where there was so much interest to deal with that the museum had to formalise and somewhat restrict what had been an open door policy to their research project.

3.3 Facilitating Open Dissemination

I use twitter for some things, blog others, even have an old steam powered website. I don't tend to be a particularly early adopter of new platforms, because using each media well and upkeep are a real time issue. For art projects the balance of what research to disseminate is tricky - some processes just have to wait until the grand reveal. In exhibition terms, openness may not always be shared online digital information, but physical transparency about art processes and research.

3.4 Open Licensing

You're absolutely right about an artist's concerns. However, much art education and practice now involves thoroughly researching projects and also engaging with researchers in other disciplines. Formats for open art research dissemination may still have to be invented, as copyright issues are involved, However, I believe there are creative solutions to be discovered and developed, again using the methodologies and findings of other research disciplines and forums, such as this.

Well, I'm still researching this and considering options. I've seen a couple of artists who also make moving image who have some clips on their website which are protected and some which are freely available to download and use under a creative commons license. I respond to that idea although it's not really suitable for my work - perhaps for some areas. I think that in my own work I am still confused about what might be research which could be openly available to others, and what is my core work and creative capital. There are so many overlapping layers and edges. And since research is not my core activity, but part of my art practice, there are additional formatting and time issues which need to be considered. However, open research is surely about establishing conversations about ideas, and that's a good place to start from.

3.5 Planning Your Own Research Project

My research project idea:

The Reflective Learning Cycle: can a revised model better reflect fine art practice? Art practice-based research.

What is the aim of your research project?

To look at the way artists think and reflect upon working and learning, to see if there are new and useful models and insights.

What are you trying to find out? Why?

New model of the reflective learning cycle specific to artists

What methods will you use?

Interviews, reflective art practice, qualitative

What data will you gather?

interviews, data about art crits

What will you release openly?

most of the data I collect.

What license will you adopt?

to be decided - I need to absorb that area

What dissemination approach will you take?

Blogging. Perhaps art school talks, etc

Which open research practices, if any, will you use for this project?

I will research from the beginning in ways that is suitable for blogging and openness, and integrate that into the project

Tell us more about why you will use these open research practices:

I think open research is as much an attitude and approach as a practice, and I would like to integrate open practices and let them lead the research to some extent.

Are there any open research practices that you wouldn't use for this project?

I will anyway be selective and not be a completely open project, I still have some decisions to make as regards copyright of some materials.

Tell us more about why you wouldn't use these open research practices:

Some research needs time to brew before conclusions are reached – I think it can be exposed at too soon a stage.

4.0 Reflecting in the Open

4.1 Researchers Reflect on Reflection

I have been researching various Reflective Cycle models in relation to fine art practice. Many like Kolb and Schön are widely used in educational and business practice, etc, but there are others, and many stem from earlier Graham Wallis Art of Thought which in turn amalgamated research from psychologists, artists, poets and musicians. What we assume is a formulaic cycle of plan, act, review, etc, is potentially much more complex and individualistic.

4.2 Blogging as Reflection

I am just completing what is the first completely distance MA in fine art in Europe. It has been a very long four years, during which I have kept my entire work on a blog - reflective journal, research material, jottings, trials and all else. although it is a closed community which has access to that, I now thoroughly have the habit of blogging, and of sharing information and thoughts in progress. I will soon have the time to set up new projects, and appreciate the idea of having specific blogs for particular projects, and even particular audiences. I have a popup gallery blog which will be a great platform for a research project, mixing it with art and other projects.

I don't have much to add to the comments, which fairly summarise the points - but blogging is not just about sharing information, it's also a great place to crystallise and collate thinking, giving an entire project an identity.

4.3 Reflection and Evaluation

There are several good points to be integrated in structuring any research - I think having a structure for reflection is vital. However, personally I always work as a lone freelancer - an individual artist researcher rather as part of a team. My collaboration is whatever openness I can integrate into the project. I don't see that changing much.

4.4 Tools for Reflection

4.5 Reflecting on your own Research

This thinking continues throughout life and all educational levels! Once we get over the copying thing, we are unsure of sharing thoughts in progress before they are developed and verified. We also need to retain the right to abandon a train of thought when we choose to go elsewhere.

How open were you when conducting research before you started this course?

Open, but in a closed environment - blog in an MA group

What parts of your research, if any, did you share openly?

Blogging practice has made me increasingly open about all areas of practice and research, but not openly open - selective dissemination.

What do you think works well for you about doing open research?

I think its the structure of self reflection. It's a great way of keeping track of own thinking and the project itself

What do you think might not work so well for you?

I have to think through what to keep back. I think it also could be quite time consuming to polish all the updates

What are you going to do to be a (more) open researcher in the future?

I'm going to try a specific small project, using ideas form this course, to see what works best for me.

How are you going to change your practice? What would you plan differently in the future as a result of having done this course?

I'm convinced of the importance of open research. I'm aware how much I've benefited personally form what is available openly, and I plan to contribute. bit early to indicate specifics, but the principle of openness is embedded.

13th October 2014

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Unexpectedly received some feedback about my participation in the Open Research course:

Thank you very much for participating in the course. It has been a pleasure to have you on board. Your contributions to the forum discussions were insightful, thought-provoking and very valuable. We all appreciate your sharing some of your personal reflections: it has been very interesting to hear of and learn from your perspective as an artist.

Questions

I'd like to hear more about your project as it sounds fascinating, are you looking at new models with an aim to applying them to teaching art?

In terms of capturing reflection instead of asking about reflection, may I point you in the direction of 'think aloud protocols'? I think you may find the methodology useful http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_aloud_protocol

Concerns

Your concerns about how much and when to share are perfectly valid. You've mentioned you blog openly but within closed doors... have you thought about how different it would really be if you made it properly open? To be honest, after your participation in the forum discussions and hangouts these last few weeks, I feel like 'hey, I wish I could read her posts'. Whenever you are ready to share with the big world out there, let us know, we can't wait!

Best of luck, Bea (on behalf of the OERRH team)

And I achieved an Open Research badge, whatever that is - more to research. Actually, this may be a great way to set up courses. Got me thinking now.

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24th October 2014