In assessing my experience on the MAAI course holistically as well as preparing for potential external stakeholders’ enquiries during the online and physical exhibitions, I created a list of answers to the following questions from a previous tutorial:
How did you arrive at your question and your research methodology?
I arrived at my question through a process of multiple interventions as well as speaking to industry experts to identify the gaps in the existing market. This process took several months and rounds of thorough research and development within the fields of VR, neuroaesthetics and the mindfulness- meditation industries. My research methodology consisted of existing secondary research (journals and articles) in the field, as well as action research where I interviewed and collaborated with stakeholders in the field to further my understanding of the project as well as to devise the final shape of my platform. Read More Here.
Can you define your research methodologies, and their relationship to your question?
My research methodologies, both primary and secondary, have been critically evaluated to seek an answer for my question. All existing secondary research has been backed up with more articles that support existing and new findings, and primary research has been cross- referenced with the existing body of secondary sources. Though my question has taken different forms since the start of the course, my existing bibliography has played a vital role in streamlining the field of research as well as in consolidating newer iterations of the research query.
Are you sufficiently aware of the context and existing state of understanding of your question within your field of enquiry?
At the moment, I feel comfortable enough to evidence the creative choices within Mind’s Eye VR and am able to provide theoretical evidence on each aspect of the platform that is backed by the existing body of research within the field. However, keeping in mind that both VR- mindfulness and the field of neuroaesthetics are relatively new areas of research, there is limited data available in the current academic pool. Moreover, finding a gap in the research and creating an intervention to test means that the benefits from my research are based on a theorised hypothesis, rather than having been tested at a higher level (eg. clinical trials). Thus, it is important to establish that more research needs to be contributed within the field in order for its contextual understanding. Read More Here.
Who has given professional feedback?
To date, my intervention stakeholder group (n=23) has consisted of coursemates, creative professionals in my network, and external experts within the VR, Film and Television industries aged between 18-50. They include freelance creatives within the AR/VR industries, experts who have worked within VR-mindfulness platforms, as well as lecturers who specialise in VR at the university. Read More Here.
What other kinds of feedback have you received?
From my personal tutor, I have also received feedback in the importance of having an identity for my intervention, from generating a title to the branding and presentation during the exhibitions and beyond the course. This has been really helpful in packaging the way I want to pitch and share my project with external stakeholders in future.
Have you incorporated the feedback you have received into the iterated model/s of your question and intervention?
Yes, as the incorporation of feedback has been vital to moving the project forward, and often opens a new direction of discussion for new iterations of the intervention. Read More Here.
Have you researched in an ethical way?
Yes, as I have taken to account the ethical considerations for research, specifically in the collection of data and how feedback is used. Read More Here.
What has changed as a result of your research? What next?
As a result of my research, I have not only been able to identify impressionist environments as a potential way forward for VR- mindfulness platforms, but have also identified new areas of exploration from the feedback my intervention has received. My next steps would be to explore the new areas I have found and conduct further iterations of interventions. Read More Here.