John James Marshall thesis.pdf - OpenAIR @ RGU - Robert Gordon ...

5.0 Discussion
This thesis has examined the use of various computer-based design and
fabrication tools within a range of contexts. This enquiry has been situated
within the context of use of these technologies becoming more widespread and
experimental by certain practitioners. By focusing on the use of these digital
tools this research has sought to explore if this shift to experimentation offers
possibilities for a trend towards new forms of hybrid practice. The research has
explored this territory through reviews of contextual and theoretical literature; a
systematic analysis of a set of representative objects; the development of a
curatorial brief for an exhibition and symposium; and by conducting surveys
and interviews with practitioners and stakeholders in the field.
5.1 An engaged practitioner
Throughout the period of research the researcher has remained active as a
practitioner in the field of enquiry. The researcher has been able to conduct this
research because of his position as a practitioner and curator in this field. The
researcher’s role in the study has been participatory and the nature of the PhD
project is that the research questions and propositions have been identified
through this practice. This has enabled the researcher to gain a better
understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the context within which
this research is located.
5.1.1 Live Discourse
Blogs have become increasingly prevalent over the last few years. The use of a
blog as a research method emerged throughout this study. It was not planned.
The supervisory team was initially concerned the researcher was posting
information about his research freely on the Internet long before it was printed
in an academically accepted publication. With increasing access to information
by means of the Internet, academic communication like all other forms of
communication is changing. Connecting pieces of information is part of the
work of research. For researchers that are making use of online sources a blog is
suited to synthesising widely distributed knowledge and participating in
discussions about it. It is an enhanced ‘live’ method of note taking. The
research blog has been a useful method to disseminate information about the
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