E-Journal Part 1: Thinking About my Project
The initial stage of MAIS 640 has taught me a lot about grounded theory and how to apply it to my own research. When I first entered the course, my understanding of grounded theory was limited to the beliefs that it was a style of research that was open and experimental and allowed the researcher to follow their own path. While some aspects of that are true, I have learned that grounded theory has a system and a set of terms to help the researcher stay organized and focused while they are doing extensive research. I feel that the education system tends to value and promote quantitative research as ‘real’ research and leaves out the wonderful opportunity that qualitative research has to offer. Not everything can be measured by numbers, and life is not all statistics. Human nature cannot be set with a specific number, therefore qualitative research is just as important, if not more, as quantitative research.
I have been struggling to focus on a specific area of research for the grounded theory project. My main research interest is exploring how the troubles of Northern Ireland are represented in fiction. I love the idea that fiction creates a pathway between the reader and history in an accessible way. Furthermore, I am interested in the impact fiction, and therefore editing of history, can have on a person's understanding of historical and political events. Yet, at the start of the course I found myself confused and overwhelmed on how I would be able to code and collect data from literature. The examples of grounded theory in the textbooks usually show interviews or interacting with individuals on some level. How can I do that with fiction? However, after learning about the different types of coding systems and data organization, I believe that I will be able to come up with a grounded theory project by focusing on fiction. I plan to do this by first narrowing down my research topic to Ulster masculinity, select three novels or short stories to focus on, one research text that focuses on Ulster masculinity, and develop a coding system based on the reading experience. According to Robert A. Stebbins, this style of exploration can be referred to as limited exploration which “stands out for the explorers interest in searching systematically for something in particular.” (3) I recognize that limited exploration can in fact be limiting as the name suggests, however, for a research project of this scale I feel that it is the best choice. Also, I do not feel that limited exploration is a negative. In fact, I feel that it can be a positive asset to help a researcher truly understand a specific area of their research before proceeding. I believe that incident-with-incident and in vivo coding, as described in Constructing grounded Theory by Kathy Charmaz, to categorize and understand my data will be the best coding styles for me to use. The three texts that I will focus on are The Ghost Factory by Jenny McCartney, Country a Novel by Michael Hughes, and Cal by Bernard MacLaverty. The research text is a collection of essays that focus on Ulster Masculinity in fiction and will serve as both a guide and a resource during my research. Once I have a better understanding of Ulster masculinity, I will be able to look for similarities in the novels, and how Ulster masculinity is presented in the texts while also allowing the research to direct me to any new paths of inquiry. Hopefully this project will help me build an understanding of what Ulster masculinity is and how to identify it in texts.
Work cited
Stebbins, Robert A. Exploratory Research in the Social Sciences. Sage, 2001.
E-Journal Part 2: Analysis
As I reflect on the progress of my grounded research project, I am thrilled to share the significant developments I have made in understanding the portrayal of Ulster masculinity in three films: "The Boxer," "The Maze," and "Belfast." During stage 2 of this project, I have delved into the intricate layers of these films, carefully analyzing the performances of male characters and their relationship to the dominant forms of masculinity prevalent in Northern Ireland. The insights gained thus far have illuminated the complex dynamics between Ulster masculinity, challenges to hegemonic norms, and the lasting impact of The Troubles. One of the key accomplishments in my research journey has been the development of a comprehensive coding framework. Recognizing the need for a systematic approach to analyze the films, I meticulously designed a set of codes to capture the various aspects of Ulster masculinity as it is performed by the male protagonists. Some of these codes are
⁃ Sports
⁃ Subordination
⁃ Dominant
⁃ Competitive
⁃ Independence
⁃ Female attraction
⁃ Female domination
⁃ Risky
⁃ Hero
⁃ Stoic
⁃ Territorial
⁃ Weapon for domination
These codes allowed me to identify and analyze specific behaviors, actions, and dialogue that exemplify the characters' engagement with or resistance against the dominant hegemonic form of masculinity. "The Boxer," directed by Jim Sheridan, served as a captivating case study for examining the complexities of Ulster masculinity. The film centers around the character of Danny Flynn, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis, an ex-prisoner and former boxer who returns to his Belfast community after serving a lengthy prison sentence. Through the coding process, I discovered that Danny's character actively seeks to challenge the traditional forms of Ulster masculinity. Despite the societal expectations of violent retaliation and dominance, Danny embraces a more compassionate and non-violent approach. His decision to establish a gym and teach boxing to the community, including both Catholic and Protestant youth, symbolizes his rejection of the hypermasculine ideals often associated with the Troubles. Similarly, "The Maze," directed by Stephen Burke, provides a compelling exploration of Ulster masculinity in the context of the infamous Maze Prison during the Troubles. The film's protagonist, Larry Marley, portrayed by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, is an IRA prisoner who finds himself in a unique position of influence. Through my coding analysis, I uncovered Larry's subtle resistance against hegemonic masculinity. Rather than conforming to the expected aggression and dominance associated with the Troubles, Larry displays moments of vulnerability and empathy, challenging the notion that Ulster masculinity is solely defined by violence and physical prowess. In "Belfast," directed by Kenneth Branagh, the focus shifts to the experiences of a young boy named Buddy, portrayed by Jude Hill, growing up in the midst of the Troubles. Buddy’s observations and interactions with other male figures provide valuable insights into the impact of violence on Ulster masculinity. Through coding the film, I observed the ways in which Buddy's father, Pa portrayed by Jamie Dornan, embodies the struggle of maintaining a sense of masculinity while navigating the complexities of the Troubles. The trauma and violence surrounding him significantly affect Pa, causing him to question the hegemonic expectations placed upon him as a man. This introspection reveals the vulnerability that lies beneath the surface of Ulster masculinity, challenging its rigid and oppressive nature. The common thread that emerged from my research is the profound impact of the Troubles on the performance of Ulster masculinity in these films. The violence and trauma experienced by the characters, both directly and indirectly, shaped their relationships with traditional forms of masculinity. While the protagonists in each film strive to challenge and subvert the dominant ideals, their struggles are evident, highlighting the pervasive influence of cultural and historical contexts. As I continue my research journey, I am eager to delve deeper into the nuances of Ulster masculinity and its portrayal in film. The insights gained from these three movies have provided a solid foundation for further exploration and analysis.
Work Mentioned
Branagh, Kennith, director. Belfast. Universal Pictures, 2022.
Burke, Stephen, director. The Maze. 2017.
Sheridan, Jim, director. The Boxer. Universal Pictures, 1997.
Journal Entry 3: The Goodbye Stage
In this journal entry, I will be discussing my overall experience of this course, and updating my readers on the progress I have been making on my overall research project.
Firstly, I want to take the time to reflect on my experience in this course. I first entered this course with a very limited understanding of what grounded theory was. From the description of the course, I felt that it would be a beneficial experience for me to take in order to further understand how I personally would perform research in my academic career. While I do not find the ground of theory to be particularly beneficial in the humanities, I am grateful that I took this course in order to understand the different ways that I can perform exploratory research, and the important role that freedom plays in our research. I find that research in the humanities can at times be very limiting. You are stuck in a very narrow field, looking at a very specific section of your department's research area. I do. I wanted to have more freedom in the way I conduct my research, which is why I chose to do an interdisciplinary master's degree. Overall, this course has been an amazing experience and I'm very grateful that I enrolled in this course.
My research project has not been without its ups and downs. For starters, in the middle of the semester, when we were starting to get into the meat of our research, I suffered a concussion which delayed my ability to work for quite some time. Furthermore, I didn't naturally take to grounded theory and I spent a lot of the time feeling like a fish out of water trying to understand what I was doing. I don't fully think that I grasped the concept of grounded theory, well, I might understand the theory of it but the practice is something I will have to put more time into before I can confidently say I perform it well. That being said, I do feel that my research on how to understand Ulster masculinity and the way it is performed in film, has instilled a deeper understanding within me. The process of this research has shown me that it's very easy to get lost in your own bias, it's easy to miss the gaps and your research, and it's very easy to get overwhelmed when you don't have a plan. Initially, I was uncertain of the coding system that grounded theory applies to, but out of all the things I've learned in this course, coding, your research is something I will take with me. The practice of coding helped me keep an eye on myself so that I didn't wander too far in my exploratory research phase.
The final stage of this course is dedicated to the time of writing up our research. As a literature major, writing is usually the area I feel most confident in. However, this style of writing is not common in the humanities and I felt like an undergrad. Writing this research report. Report. It is definitely not something I will be hanging on my wall, but I'm glad that I was able to step out of my comfort zone and write up a portion of my research in a way that I have not done before. Thank you for being along with me on this journey and I wish you all the best in your academic adventures.