6b continued

Interview via Skype

Merits:

• Cost effective
• Convenient
• Conversation in real time
• Face to face interaction
• Video conferencing, facilitate group interview

Limits:

• Impersonal
• Sound quality

When conducting an interview, I found it challenging to write down everything that my subject was saying and process my thoughts to ask follow up questions. I think this can be solved if I record the interview and then transcribing it after. I could also learn how to write in shorthand, as it would be beneficial. I would be able to refer to my notes and re visit questions base on information that the subject provided.

I found the skype interview to be productive, but I could not anylise body language as the camera was focusing on the subjects face. The WI Fi network the subject was using was not strong. I found myself repeating the questions to provide clarification.

I conducted the interview using some of the same questions used previously in my survey. The subject articulated that a manager should delegate when establishing a task needs completion. The candidate then went on to express that a manager should not wait until the task becomes overwhelming to then pass the responsibility to staff, as this can be “very frustrating.”

I will carry out one on one interviews (in person) as part of my inquiry as this proves to be a great way of obtaining information. Conducting interviews via Skype permits me to hold an interview from any location once I have an Internet connection.

Observation

Merits:

• You can establish how people act as a pose to how they say they act.

Limits:

• Time consuming

When carrying out an observation I became aware that the subject may have been reacting to my presence, so I feel I was unable to gain a truthful result. I believe if I had come back to observe subject numerous times, subject would possible get use to my presence and act less uncharastically. I think this reveals the advantages of being an inside researcher or carrying out an observation covertly.

As part of my inquiry I hope to anylise how tasks get completed and how employees feel about delegation. Observation will be used as a tool to assist me analyse body language, as I believe this constitutes as valuable information. As part of my inquiry I will be looking at actions and re actions of arts managers and staff.

Focus group

Merits:

• Group opinions
• Healthy debate

Limits”

• Organising people into one location for a specific time
• Conversation drifting off topic if group not chaired

I was able to conduct a controversial focus group with a subject who though all funding for performing arts courses should be abolished due to government cuts. Others in the group provided valid points challenging this statement. For example, the arts bring in tourists and create revenue.

I made in my objective to stay neutral when facilitating the focus group.

I found it a challenge to mediate and maintain control over the focus group, as the conversation was high strung and flowing rapidly. Once again I tried to write down information, but realise that the use of audio and visual recording aids were really imperative for reviewing what was transpiring.

I found it a challenge to steer the topic into the direction that I thought would answer the questions that I needed answering about arts management. It proved vital for me to orchestrate the group debate so all individuals had the opportunity to add input and conclusions could be reached. I thought this was a great example of me showing managerial skills.