In taking up this course of study, one is expected to perform various methods of research and to ethically produce any primary research undertaken. Primary research is where research into a topic has come from an original source, for example- in a qualitative form of asking and recording answers to a questionnaire, or as quantitative- when a measurable collection of information is taken- i.e. quantities of something. Secondary research is when data is gathered from other sources, for example- reading someone else’s study findings, historical facts written by a historian, and viewing any previously created media source on the required subject.

    Initial ideas for this design project were inspired by watching the series American Gods (2017), and so some looking into this aspect was required, this being classed as secondary research. Immediately, the student found that the series was based upon the novel of the same title, by Neil Gaiman (2001). The research throughout the project so far has included fan compiled pages such as American Gods Wiki (n.d.) to gather information about the gods and deities that could be focused on in the designs, and looking into the symbolic iconography throughout the show. There was obvious use of such in the title credits that incorporates a totem pole-see image 1 (Ap2hyc, 2019) reading up a theorising dissection behind each image used in this was essential to establish the overall link between the practical ideas and the theoretical question of “What is the link between nature and religion in modern society?, it was also found interesting that certain socio-political references could be identified and explored (Roberts, 2017). Finding out about spiders and their traits was important too, such as the interesting concept that UV light has an essential role in the jumping spider’s mating habits (Robinson, 2007) this is merely one of the interesting facts found that led to the eventual choices made as mentioned in the previous design specific blog entries preceding this one.

     When beginning the process of primary research as part of this Major Design Project it was important to consider the ethicality of doing so; ensuring those asked to partake are suitably informed and capable of making the decision to do so and are not considered vulnerable or at risk of being offended or upset by participating in the research project. York College has a specific ethics board to review proposed research by their students- checking through questionnaires and surveys to be put forward to the prospective ‘target market’ of the research. 

      An in-depth report was created for the board to review-outlining the research topic, the reasoning behind the choice and the actual social media questionnaire (see images 2-6. Price, 2021) that was, in this case-prepared for the participants, to give their answers in an anonymous manner-not asking for identifying information. Alongside the questionnaire an informed consent page was included advising that filling out and clicking submit would be giving consent for the answers to be used in the study. As written in the Ethics Board application form for this project Price (2021) states “The British Educational Research Association (BERA, 2018) guidelines are followed when this application is reviewed by York College ethics committee, this helps ensure protection of the educational organisation, the participant and the researcher by presenting best ethical practice of one’s research. Ethics committee take review of the subject and treatment of participants to ensure that York College is represented by the researcher (me) in an honest, non deceptive manner and in way that purports respect, transparency and confidentiality as well as informed consent.” The form was completed and submitted for the deadline of December 9th 2021, and has since been approved for continuation of said primary research methods. The social media questionnaire will soon be published on facebook.com using the example request shown in image 7 (Price, 2021) and data collected for breakdown and analysis of the answers given will be taken into account in the dissertation required to complete this course.

References

American Gods (2017) Starz [Online] Available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Gods-Season-1/dp/B06ZXS5C29 

A Place to Hang Your Cape (2019) The Symbolism of American Gods’ Opening Titles [Online] Available at: https://ap2hyc.com/2019/04/the-symbolism-of-american-gods-opening-titles/ [Accessed 5th Dec, 2021]

A Place to Hang Your Cape (2019) [Image 1] AGs01.png [Online] Available at: https://ap2hyc.com/2019/04/the-symbolism-of-american-gods-opening-titles/ [Accessed 5th Dec, 2021]

Roberts, A. (2017) American Gods on television couldn’t be more timely [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/may/12/american-gods-television-timely-neil-gaiman [Accessed 5th Dec, 2021]

Robinson, K. (2007) UV light reveals mating secrets of jumping spiders [Online] Available at: https://www.photonics.com/Articles/UV_light_reveals_mating_secrets_of_jumping_spiders/a39318 [Accessed 11th Nov, 2021]

Lui, M. Tips for using slider questions in your next survey [Online] Available at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/curiosity/slider-blog [Accessed 4th Dec, 2021]

Gaiman, N. (2001) American Gods. William Morrow Paperbacks.

Price, S. (2021) [Images 2-6], Questionnaire for primary research, including consent introduction [Online] https://facebook.com [8th Dec, 2021]

Price, S. (2021) [Image 7] Saved draft example of questionnaire participant request [Online] https://facebook.com [8th Dec, 2021]