Folio Assignment - Meta-Analysis
By Robyn Ummard
During the course of this class I have determined that a mixed method of research is likely to be the methodology that I would gravitate towards for its ability to provide quantitative data for statistical analysis and the qualitative data that affords a deeper understanding of the individuals or culture that are part of a study. Looking towards my final project, I am interested in knowing how to develop a textiles unit that centers on the new ‘Maker Culture’ and e-textiles. As such, I would want to collect data that would ascertain if there was an increase in cross-curricular knowledge, manual skills and student engagement during the unit. Success will come from a thorough investigation into the ethnography of this new “industrial revolution” and a comprehensive awareness of the epistemology of Home Economics. This knowledge will help to create a unit that would reflect the freedom, empowerment and student-centered aspects of the maker culture while still adhering to and making relational connection to the characteristics of home economics philosophies. As I examine the similarities and differences of these two structures, queries about the project start to accumulate. How can this be accomplished? How long would the unit take? What are the benefits of including this unit? Are there any drawbacks? What sort of resources would be needed to produce these e-textiles? How do you gather the data needed for a detailed analysis? What are the limitations of the study? How can they be circumvented? What is student awareness of ‘maker culture’?
These are only a few of the question that I have started to ask as I move through my research into this area. The process of critically thinking about different methodology strengths and weaknesses has improved my capacity to question the information presented or to seek informational discrepancies. Both skills will be beneficial to ensuring that I have looked into and am able to answer questions that may arise from my project.
Reviewing some of my previous post, I was again intrigued by the Hestian paradigm. I wrote:
“I very much like the gender neutrality of Hestian paradigm. Viewing the aspects of human ecology as just a part of society and not a matter of “woman’s work”, I found gave it credence and develops a more (socially acceptable) scientific insight.”(Ummard, 2013)
It captured my attention because of the ‘equality of the oikos’ which would be reflective of the maker movement that I have been exploring. The maker culture is a collective of people who come together to learn from each other and there is equality, not only gender, but of age. Additionally, this paradigms ethnography can be seen in current philosophies of home economic practices and belief structures.
I was thoroughly challenged by this project throughout the semester. I recognize the importance of keeping detailed notes as articles are read; however upon reflection, I feel this could be a more effective task with a concrete inquiry question to focus on or with the development of a more systematic method of information collection. The systematic method would be particularly helpful when reading journals that are not the focus of a particular study because it would prompt the reader to fill in gaps that they may otherwise overlook. I also found that I became more accurate and efficient when it came to siting the source of information that I gathered. Upon completion of this assignment, I also realized the importance of maintaining a systematic filing system to maintain these records. I will continue to keep records of my reading but will have to formulate a more scientific method for organizing the information and remembering to ask pertinent questions that will create more accurate folios.
These are only a few of the question that I have started to ask as I move through my research into this area. The process of critically thinking about different methodology strengths and weaknesses has improved my capacity to question the information presented or to seek informational discrepancies. Both skills will be beneficial to ensuring that I have looked into and am able to answer questions that may arise from my project.
Reviewing some of my previous post, I was again intrigued by the Hestian paradigm. I wrote:
“I very much like the gender neutrality of Hestian paradigm. Viewing the aspects of human ecology as just a part of society and not a matter of “woman’s work”, I found gave it credence and develops a more (socially acceptable) scientific insight.”(Ummard, 2013)
It captured my attention because of the ‘equality of the oikos’ which would be reflective of the maker movement that I have been exploring. The maker culture is a collective of people who come together to learn from each other and there is equality, not only gender, but of age. Additionally, this paradigms ethnography can be seen in current philosophies of home economic practices and belief structures.
I was thoroughly challenged by this project throughout the semester. I recognize the importance of keeping detailed notes as articles are read; however upon reflection, I feel this could be a more effective task with a concrete inquiry question to focus on or with the development of a more systematic method of information collection. The systematic method would be particularly helpful when reading journals that are not the focus of a particular study because it would prompt the reader to fill in gaps that they may otherwise overlook. I also found that I became more accurate and efficient when it came to siting the source of information that I gathered. Upon completion of this assignment, I also realized the importance of maintaining a systematic filing system to maintain these records. I will continue to keep records of my reading but will have to formulate a more scientific method for organizing the information and remembering to ask pertinent questions that will create more accurate folios.