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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
Research, Overview, Design, and Conclusion
The article "From Data To Drama - The Construction Of An Ethnographic Performance,"
written by Richard Sallis in 2007 from the University of Melbourne, explores how gender
educational ethnographic data can be used to inform the development and production of a
performance: "It discusses how an ethnographic performance was developed based on research
into multiple masculinities in drama in a single-sex boys' secondary school" (p. 7). The article
discusses the challenges and opportunities of using ethnographic data to create a dramatic
performance. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between theatre professionals,
cultural practitioners, and academics in producing ethnographic performances.
There was a review of existing work in the article "From data To Drama - The
Construction of An Ethnographic Performance." The author reviewed the existing literature to
identify the essential conceptual elements that could be used to construct an ethnographic
performance. Sallis also examined how different approaches to ethnography had been used in the
past and how these approaches could influence the construction of an ethnographic performance.
"Over the past few years, they have changed the emphases of this course so that the boys come
out with the personal skills to be able to handle themselves better "(p. 11). Additionally, the
article discusses the importance of considering the audience when creating an ethnographic
performance and the need for appropriate staging and props. Finally, they identified the ethical
considerations that should be considered when creating such a performance.
The research used in this study was ethnodrama and ethno-theater. The ethnodrama was
written as a play from notes, interviews, and journals. The scripts from the research were written
from different quotes from the boys who were interviewed. The ethnodrama helped the
researchers convey the themes and representation of boys in a drama setting. This is an example
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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
of physical performance from the experience of the researcher. According to Hark (2019), "…
performance studies are sometimes known as performance ethnography because they represent a
culture through performance". The article states that ethnographic performances will likely
undertake critical analysis and practice. The specific arts-based research method discussed by
Hark (2019) involves using a combination of artistic elements, such as staging, props, and sound,
to create a performance that reflects the culture and values of the group being studied. This
method also requires a thorough understanding of the group's culture to ensure the performance
accurately reflects their values and beliefs. The author discovered a method of research that
illustrated his experiences and the description of boys in the drama set in an artistic expression.
According to Sallis, he had a difficult time with ethical considerations, issues, and differences;
however, Sallis saw the study as a positive and successful study and answered the research
question: "These tensions were for me a troubling part of the methodology associated with the
study. However, dealing with them as they arose in the field rewarded me with a series of
enlightening experiences and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ethnodramatic
process "(p. 17).
The article concludes that ethnographic performance can be a powerful tool to reveal
cultural patterns and bring meaning and understanding to a group or audience. It is an effective
way to bridge the gap between data and drama and to create meaningful experiences.
Ethnographic performance can be used to explore complex, culturally specific issues and to
create a more immersive experience for the audience. It can also be used to communicate the
social and cultural significance of a particular population or community.
Limitations and Future Research
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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
In the article presented, there were limitations to the design. The illustration of the study
was mainly focused on issues with anonymity. Due to the ethnodrama with boys, the researcher
of this study changed the script of the study with quotes using words and actions to form
combined characters in certain situations (p. 15). One limitation was that the research was
conducted on a small sample size, which may not have accurately represented the entire
population of boys being studied. Finally, the performance was only conducted in one location,
which could have affected the results due to the environment in which it was presented.
However, the limitations were not mentioned in the study. The article's author did not
mention anything about plans and other studies connected to any knowledge from the research.
However, this research could benefit by looking into the interaction between the audience,
performers, and the text and how the ethnographic performance might be used to represent a
particular cultural group or community.
Original Summary
The article "From Data To Drama - The Construction Of An Ethnographic Performance,"
by Richard Sallis, examines how ethnographic performance maps, analyses, and evaluates the
processes involved in forming an educational ethnography. It discusses how an ethnographic
performance was developed based on research into multiple masculinities in drama in a single-
sex boys' secondary school. The study posed ethical and aesthetic challenges, and the discussion
details how these were addressed in the setting and the implications of the issues raised for the
ethnodramatist and the participants in the project. The article demonstrates how the creative
process of producing an ethnographic performance can be a powerful way to explore lived
experiences and the complexities of culture and identity.
Methodological Differences and Alternative Designs
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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
The process of this study is similar to the humanities and science analysis, although there
are some differences between the three analyses. The three differences that can be discussed are
the: theory-based approach, interdisciplinary approach, and empirical evidence.
This article takes a theory-based approach, which is something that is typically not found
in either the Humanities or Sciences article. In this case, the article uses theories such as the
"cultural model of performance" and "ethnographic performance" to provide the framework for
ethnographic performance. This approach is more common in Humanities articles, which often
focus on theoretical concepts rather than empirical evidence.
Secondly, this article takes an interdisciplinary approach, another difference between this
article and the Humanities and Sciences article. It combines anthropology, sociology, theater, and
media elements to construct the ethnographic performance. This approach is uncommon in the
other two articles as they typically focus on one discipline.
Thirdly this article also uses empirical evidence to support its argument, which is
typically not found in Humanities articles. This evidence comes from interviews, observations,
and the analysis of recorded performances. This type of evidence is more common in science
articles, which often focus on collecting and analyzing empirical data.
One alternative arts-based research method that could have been used in this article is
improvisational theatre. Improvisational theatre requires participants to respond to unscripted
situations and create a narrative based on their creative responses. This could be used to explore
the themes discussed in the article, such as the dynamics of power and identity, by creating
scenarios that the participants must respond to and explore. The researcher could then observe
and analyze the interactions and use this data to create a narrative performance that explores the
themes discussed in the article.
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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
To adapt this article's creative arts research method to a humanities research design, the
researcher could focus on exploring the human experience in a particular context and analyze
how the participants in the study interact with each other and the environment. The author could
use various methods, such as interviews, observations, and surveys, to gather data and then use
this data to create a performance that reflects the participants' experiences. The performance
could include dance, music, poetry, storytelling, and improvisation to bring the research data to
life and make it accessible to a broader audience.
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Article Analysis: Creative Arts Assignment
Reference
Hark, K.J. (2017). Research Across the Disciplines: An Introduction. Dubuque, Kendall Hunt.
Sallis R. From Data to Drama - the Construction of an Ethnographic Performance.@NJ: Drama
Australia Journal. 2007;31(2):7-20. doi:10.1080/14452294.2007.11649514
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