Doctoral Program
Ⅳ. Practice-based Doctoral Program Manual (FAQ)
4. Do I Need to Continue Pursuing the Line of Inquiry that I Originally Proposed?
It often occurs that one posits a query in response to an issue encountered in the course of creative pursuits. However, it does not result in an appropriate answer, regardless of the amount of effort. For example, the following types of cases might be conceivable:
- The question is too broad and there is no possibility for a solution by the deadline
- While at work on the problem, you discover that someone has already discovered the answer
- You find some aspect more interesting than the query you first posited during the course of your work
In instances other than the preceding, it is sufficiently conceivable that you might not find a satisfactory answer in response to your initial query.
In such cases, it is acceptable to posit another query in line with the answer (or one that appears ready to deduce) even while research is ongoing. Rather than remaining with the initial query and being unable to determine an answer, the important issue is to posit a second-best question and discover its suitable answer.
As previously noted, research differs from study and the answer is not known in advance. Finding questions and answers that are consistent in nature is an important facet of practice-based research in arts courses.
Similarly, when writing your dissertation, it is best to remember the simple question that commenced your research and the query that you want to share with readers are different.
- Your question at the start of research: A simple question posed regarding an issue that needs to be resolved
- Question you want to share with readers about in your dissertation: The research question first mentioned when writing your dissertation
The question and answer needs to be consistent in your dissertation since readers will not be convinced otherwise. As such, there is no problem with appending a query to an answer for the purposes of the dissertation.
5. Can Research in Practice-based Graduate Arts Courses be considered as “Artistic”?
We often hear that dissertations from practice-based arts courses give the impression of having been written by artists. However, this does entail the act of converting artistic endeavors into words. In practice-based research, the creation of an art work or a musical performance is not rendered into words. Instead, the focus is placed on clarifying part of the process of artistic practice.
Practice-based research, which has gained international popularity in recent years, refers to the act of objectively reviewing one’s artistic practices, articulating some of their essence, confronting the issues one has encountered in the process of practicing an art, and documenting the process. In other words, it means the act of sharing the knowledge gained through the practice of an art or the impetus for the knowledge gained. It might be best to view it in a different light, not as Fine Arts or Music studies, but rather as research related to the processes of artistic, musical, or visual practices.
That being said, there might also be other cases, depending on the research topic; for instance, students may be unable to sufficiently express themselves with the usual methods. We cannot say that there will be no situations in which artistic techniques inevitably need to be adopted, especially in instances involving descriptions of extremely sophisticated thinking processes.
6. Is it Appropriate to use Audio and Visual Media?
Attaching DVDs or other media to supplement the dissertation’s content is acceptable. Note, however, that permission must be obtained for cases in which there are performers and copyright ownership issues. It is also acceptable to attach copies of music, as necessary, but there is the need to take particular care regarding copyright issues.
7. Who is the Target Audience for my Thesis in a Practice-based Graduate Arts Course?
Doctoral dissertations are presented to the National Diet and Geidai Libraries and are read by a large, undetermined number of people. Therefore, discussions must be presented and written in an accessible manner, so that those who lack expertise can comprehend.
The most important issue is that you should write carefully so that the members of the Examination Committee can easily comprehend the dissertation. To succeed in your defense, it is essential that you write your dissertation such that even the committee member who is least “up to speed” in the field can understand.
8. What is the Purpose of a Ph.D. Thesis?
Doctoral dissertations are written for the purpose of sharing new knowledge about artistic practice in concerned disciplines and preparing the groundwork for additional developments and advances in artistic creativity. We can also state that producing new knowledge enriches human life and contributes toward society.
However, doctoral dissertations in practice-based arts course often possess autobiographical significance. Compiling a record of the artistic practice cultivated until now from a certain angle can serve as the foundation for a fresh outlook toward your expressive and creative activities and long-term goals.
References (All are written in Japanese.)
Oda, Hiroshi, 2010, Doing Ethnography, Shunjusha Publishing Company.
Sato, Ikuya, 2002, Fieldwork no Giho (Fieldwork Techniques), Shinyosha Ltd.
Seno, Kenichiro, 1999, Kenkyu Keikakusho no Kangaekata (Research Plan Approaches), Diamond, Inc.
