EMPIRICAL & HEURISTIC: A COLLABORATIVE METHODOLOGY RESEARCH
by Joseph Tabua

The investigation that David Nolan and I are undertaking at Fine Music 102.5 is from the perspective of constructed knowing. Through this professional practice response we are aiming to unpack the real and material conditions which enable, or inhibit, the creative life. Through collaboration, I am able to conceptualize two key parameters such as ‘Shared Values’ and ‘Objectives.’ These guideline components will operate as a point of departure in helping shape and define our methodological research. As researchers we are cognizant and do not rely on intuitive, instinctual thinking.[1] Therefore, this collaboration, I consider is an avenue that will sustain a generative dialogue.

Joseph Tabua
September 2014

This research will investigate the realm of Sydney’s first radio station to appear on the FM bandwidth, FINE MUSIC 102.5, FINE music radio specializes in the classical music genre. My inquiries will consider various strands that branch from complex engagements and the hypothesis that is ordinarily unrecognized inside the undertaking of a community based radio station.
Working in collaboration with David Nolan, who will be investigating to a greater extent the practical parameters inside Fine music. David’s individual research will be focused upon the technological practicalities in co-operation with my analysis of the inner social interactions at Fine music. Our chief objective is to derive a concise narrative that will support the reflective and factual accounts we shall gather as interns at FINE music. It is then also by immersing oneself inside this discipline; we can interpret both the ethnographic and logistic apparatus in a clear and lucid style. Collaboration will be mobilised by way of our individual WordPress sites https://josephtabua.wordpress.com in addition to this, weekly conferences will take place each week at UWS, Kingswood. Since Week 2 Spring session I have put in motion a reflective process diary, which can be viewed on my individual WordPress site. My impression of working at FINE music and the ambience of the place have already been documented and this reflection will continue with more educational snippets and videos to be uploaded at intervals. The intention of this research is to delve into the arrangement of processes. For E.G how is a program or live performance developed, from off site recordings, to on site broadcasts, all of which are interrelationship-based disciplines. By conducting this research it will also inform me of the audience and the phenomenon to assimilate into the radiobroadcasting milieu. The effectiveness of collaboration encourages us to establish disparate processes in which this permits the analysis of information accumulated, for research methodologies are never ‘objective’ but always located, informed by particular social positions and historical moments and their agendas.[2] The ultimate goal is for scholarly discourse to emerge as the result of this cross-connecting practice. Considering the time frame we have left to explicate this newly acquired data, I am confident that by the conclusion of this research, what should result is a sophisticated, theoretical and logical presentation.

References

Bartlett, B., & Bartlett, J. (1998). Practical recording techniques. Boston: Focal Press.

Eyerman, R., & Jamison, A. (1998). Music and social movements: Mobilizing traditions in the twentieth century. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press.

Hannan, M., & Music Council of Australia. (2003). The Australian guide to careers in music. Sydney: University of New South Wales.

John-Steiner, V. (2000). Creative collaboration. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

McLeish, R. (1999). Radio production: A manual for broadcasters. Oxford: Focal Press.

Neill, A., & Ridley, A. (2002). Appreciation and the Natural Environment. In Arguing about art: Contemporary philosophical debates (p. 127). London: Routledge.

Saukko, P. (2003). Doing research in cultural studies: An introduction to classical and new methodological approaches. London: SAGE.

[1] John-Steiner, V. (2000). Creative collaboration. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[2] Saukko, P. (2003). Doing research in cultural studies: An introduction to classical and new methodological approaches. London: SAGE.