The major project requires a title and research question, to gain this information requires both primary and secondary research to be undertaken. Understanding the aims and objectives of the research need to be clear which establishes the depth and direction the research will take and the focal point of the study to be outlined, so that the participants and audience have an overview of the promises and benefits of the researcher’s objectives (King, 2021).
The aim is the main purpose and goal of the research project. The objectives are what and how the study will answer that. So why, what, and how need to be considered (Discover PHDS, n.d).
The make-up artists’ title is ’Appearance and Attractiveness’ and the aim is to research and understand the question ‘Why do humans feel the need to change their appearance’.
The objective is to gain information from a select sample of 30 participants, both male and female from three different age ranges, by completing a questionnaire to obtain their views and opinions on appearance and attractiveness. With specific questions centered around appearance, hair, cosmetic surgery, tattoos, and body modifications. Also, to interview a plastic surgeon and tattoo artists to compare professional opinions and views on the specialist areas of expertise.
The above research would be considered primary research, Formplus (2007) describes primary research as “A type of research design in which the researcher is directly involved in the data collection process”. This form of research can be further broken down into qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative is defined as market research, focused on obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication. (QuestionPro, 2022). This allows the researcher to probe questioning further to understand motivations and feelings.
Quantitative data is numerical/mathematical based and is objective rather than subjective.
The make-up artist has chosen to use qualitative research in the form of questionnaires and interviews.
Secondary research is readily available data that is existing data from a variety of sources, such as magazines, books, the Internet, libraries, and museums. This form of research allows the researcher to look for patterns in data spanning a period of time and identifying trends. (Qualtrics. XM, n.d).
Before commencing with any form of primary research the processes the make-up artist wishes to use must be passed through the York College ethics committee. They are responsible to the higher education quality and standards group for general issues relating to research ethics in the college. By using British Education Research Association (BERA) standards they promote ethical standards in the research carried out by the make-up artist student. BERA is a membership organisation that sustains a strong and high-quality educational research community to advance research quality, build research capacity, and foster research engagement.
Ethics according to the BBC “is a system of moral principles that affects how people make decisions and lead their lives”. According to Halej (2017), the core responsibilities of social research ethics are:
· social responsibility
· independence
· informed consent and voluntary participation
· anonymity and confidentiality
· integrity and transparency
All participants before taking part in the research have been asked to sign the consent form ( figure 4). This also includes information on the project details, the voluntary nature, the planned use of the data, anonymity and confidentiality, and the participants right to withdraw at any time. All information obtained by the participants will comply with the data protection act 1998 and will be stored safely and securely and will only be used for the purpose of this research project.
A further gatekeeper form was required to interview the plastic surgeon as he was participating on behalf of the company and the company director had to agree to the interview before it could go ahead. (Figure 2)
The make-up artists’ ethics application was sent to the exam board on 20 January 2022 and was successfully approved.
References
BBC (2014). What is Ethics [Online]. Available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml. (Accessed 15 October 2021).
Discover PHDS(n.d.) Aims and Objectives-A Guide for Academic Writing [online]. Available at https://www.discoverphds.com/advice/doing/research-aims-and-objectives. ( Accessed 7 October 2021)
Formplus Blog (2021). What is Primary Research? + [Methods & Examples] [online]. Available at https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-research. (Accessed 10 December 2021).
King, M (2021). 5 tips on how to write a research aim [online]. Available at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/mabast-king/5-tips-on-how-to-write-a-research-aim-36047/. (Accessed 7 October 2021).
Qualtrics. XM (n.d). Secondary research: Definition, methods & examples [Online]. Available at https://www.qualtrics.com/uk/experience-management/research/secondary-research/. (Accessed 8 October 2021).
QuestionPro (2022). Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples [online]. Available at https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/. (Accessed 7 October 2021).
Figures reference list
Figure 1- Formplus Blog (2007). What is Primary Research? + [Methods & Examples] [online]. Available at https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-research. (Accessed 7 October 2021).
Figure 2- QuestionPro (2022). Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples [online]. Available at https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/. (Accessed 7 October 2021).
Figure 3- PE SCHOLAR (2018). BERA-Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research [online]. Available at https://www.pescholar.com/research/bera-ethical-guidelines-for-educational-research/stop (accessed 2 October 2021).
Figure 4- My own business Institute (2019.) Ethics in life and business [online]. Available athttps://www.scu.edu/mobi/resources--tools/blog-posts/ethics-in-life-and-business/ethics-in-life-and-business.html. (Accessed 2 October 2021).
Figure 5- Thorp, N (2021). Consent form.
Figure 6- Thorp, N (2021). Gatekeeper form.