Social Inclusion in Northern Ireland :

LauraEdythe ColemanDecember 5, 2012

The influence of social inclusion theory upon the museum practice of the ulster museum of Northern Ireland: A Mixed Methods Research Design

The Culture BunkerSocial inclusion

The Inclusive MuseumThe Museum as Agent of Social RegenerationThe Museum as Vehicle for Broad Social ChangeGoalTo achieve cultural inclusionTo improve individuals quality of lifeTo influence society/instigate positive social changeAchieved through-Representation of and participation and access for those excludedInitiatives which seek to alleviate disadvantage/encourage personal developmentProviding a forum for public debate, education and persuasionExclusion is tackled within-The cultural dimensionThe economic, social, political and cultural dimensionsThe economic, social, political and cultural dimensionsSocial problems associated with exclusionMight be addressed indirectly*provide the rationale behind initiatives*might be directly expressed within the museums goals*provide the rationale behind initiatives*might be directly expressed within the museums goals

Counties of Ireland : 26 Irish Republic, 6 Northern Ireland

The Troubles

How to Represent the Past?

Problem statementSocial inclusion theory has influenced museum practices in Northern Ireland. How well museums address the history of conflict in Northern Ireland thru social inclusion will impact the peace and reconciliation process. ExperimentAn experiment design to evaluate the relationship between the presence of community outreach officers in museums and the inclusion of conflict related objects in exhibits.

Significance of researchThis study will examine the social inclusivity of the Ulster Museum through its collection and exhibition practices. This study will inform museums of the significance of their role in reconciliation in a measurable way: Exhibition of conflict related objects and the corresponding curatorial roles.The study of museums in Northern Ireland may answer questions regarding social inclusion, and insights into the peace process. A working model.

Specific Question of researchThe problem of understanding social inclusion in museum practice promotes the asking of a specific research question, and two sub-questions, in the context of the Ulster Museum in Northern Ireland: Has the introduction of social inclusion theory in the museum community led to a change in the museum practices of the Ulster Museum in Northern Ireland?

Sub-QuestionsQuantitative: How has the introduction of social inclusion theory in the Ulster Museum altered collection of conflict related items in a quantitative nature? Qualitative:How has the introduction of social inclusion theory in the Ulster Museum changed the tone of curatorial voice in conflict related exhibits?

HypothesisThe introduction of Social Inclusion theory in the museum community has led to a change in conflict related item collection and an alteration of curatorial voice in the creation of conflict related exhibits in the Ulster Museum of Northern Ireland. MethodologyMixed Methods Sequential Explanatory DesignQuantitative: Unobtrusive Historical ComparativeQualitative: Intensive-Interviews

Participant List: The Ulster MuseumParticipantsThe Ulster Museum has been chosen for participation in this study as it meets several criteria: it is a national museum of Northern Ireland it is subject to the mandates of the Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure concerning social inclusion (Department of Culture, 2011, p.3) it has a collection of conflict related items catalogued by the HTR databaseit has attempted to create exhibits concerning the Troubles; It has received both criticism and praise for varying attempts to portray the Troubles (Meredith, 2009, October 24).

Study Diagram

Quantitative unobtrusive historical comparative designStep 1: Creation of a Timeline 1990-2012

Step 2Obtain permissionsObtain Museum & Gallery Catalogues for 1990-2012

Step 3Enter Information into DatabaseInstitution Name, Type, LocationArtifact Name, Description, Date of Collection, Dates of Exhibition, and Status in the HTR DatabaseQuantitative Data Entry

Step 4Data AnalysisCompare Collection and & Exhibition Numbers with Important points on the Timeline.Quantitative Data to QuestionsQuantitative Data Analysis now influences:The creation of questions.The selection of curators.Qualitative Phase

Personal PreparationArrive EarlyDressed AppropriatelyArrange Interview AreaTest Recording EquipmentHave Note taking materials

ProtocolInterview Protocol for asking questions & recording answersHeadingInstructionsQuestionsProbesBlank SpaceThank You(Cresswell, date, p.)Demographic InformationDescriptive NotesParticipant PortraitReflective NotesResearcher PortraitDynamics of DialogueListening requires your undivided attention, without interrupting.Do not change the subject unnecessarily.Listen to the bass line of what is being said.Listen to what people are NOT saying and respect that choice.Listen to the body language and the silences.In responding- use questions to prompt, link, and explore.(Kavanagh, 2000, pp. 87-97)The InterviewBuild RapportGrand Tour Question (Schutt, 2009, p.341)Patience, Prompts, and Probes

Grand Tour questionsGrand Tour Questions:In the designing Troubles exhibits for the Ulster Museum, what has been your role?What, in your own words, is the policy concerning social inclusion within an exhibit?How have you incorporated social inclusion theory into the creation of the Troubles exhibit?Have you perceived a difference in the understandings of social inclusion amongst the curators on the Ulster Museum?

PresentationResponses in relation to Research QuestionReconstruction of the Interview scenarioReflect on Researcher bias, prejudices, attitudesReport the Interaction

Provide selection criteriaProtect confidentialityLimitationsGeneralizabilityReplication AbilityReliabilityValidityNot designed to determine the definitive indicator that a museum is socially inclusiveEthical ConsiderationsPermissionsIssues of FundingVoluntary ParticipationSubject Well-beingIdentity DisclosureConfidentialityAppropriate BoundariesResearcher Safety

InterpretationMerging of Quantitative & Qualitative DataCreate a Holistic Picture of conflict related exhibits at the Ulster Museum of Northern Ireland.Create guidelines for transferability & generalizability for a Social Inclusion Model. Brought to you by the Letterhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vin6X14kp7s