Hi everyone and thanks for taking a look at this discussion thread! I am studying for my Masters degree at the moment and as part of the course I have to do an original study on a topic of my choice. I decided to look at the tattooed body, a personal as well as an academic interest for me!
The focus of my research will be on the experiences and societies perceptions of tattooed women, and how these may differ from those of tattooed men.
This project aims to further understanding of women’s experiences of being tattooed and will answer questions such as:
Do women challenge typical gender norms through the practice of tattooing? Or are they creating a new way to express femininity?
Is the tattooed female body considered rebellious within society? What makes it rebellious?
Are the experiences and perceptions within society of the tattooed male body any different to those of the tattooed female body? If so why are they different?
I will be using this forum to conduct my research by posting questions on this thread every few days!
PLEASE KEEP READING IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PART!!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!!
What is required from you?
You will be invited to take part in an online focus group on the discussion forum site you are currently a member of, in which you will be discussing issues with other members and me regarding your tattoos, your experiences of being tattooed, your thoughts on the reactions to your tattoos within society, your own perceptions of your tattooed body as well as anything else to do with tattoos and body modifications that you feel is important within the discussion.Please do not hesitate to discuss these issues using anecdotes and stories of your experiences.
Your responses will be available on the internet for other members, in the same way any other posts and forum threads on the site are available, however, if you do not want other members to view your response, then it is perfectly fine for you to private message me with your answers rather than post them within the thread. I will be keeping a record of your responses on my personal computer and they will be used in the subsequent write up of the study.
Place and duration of focus group:
The focus group will take place online in the chosen discussion forum site over a suggested timeline of 2 months. This will allow adequate time for me to post questions and to receive responses. I will aim to put up a new question every other day to allow time for you to respond. Therefore I suggest that if you want to take part throughout the whole discussion, you should check the thread every other day for new questions.
Consent and right to withdraw:
You are free to withdraw participation at any point. Participation is completely voluntary. Even during the course of the discussion, if you wish to withdraw or wish not to answer a particular question or questions, you are free to do so.
Also I am aware of the nature of online discussion forums, and that some people may only want to post once on a thread, therefore you will not be expected to keep on posting, and may respond as often or as little as you like.
If you would like to discontinue your posts on the thread you are free to do so and do not need to contact me to inform me of your decision to do this. However, if you would like your previous posts withdrawn from the project, then you would need to contact me with your username so I can remove your responses from my notes, but I cannot guarantee I can remove them from the website (this depends on the website and their terms and conditions on posting and removal of posts). If you do wish to withdraw your responses, please inform me by May 2013 at the latest. This will give me time to remove your results before my final write up of the project.
Data storage:
The raw data will not be passed on to anyone in future for personal use of any kind. I, Claire Beale, the only investigator in this study, shall be responsible for the information when the study is over. I will ensure that it is stored safely in its original format and in accordance with the University of Birmingham’s Codes of Practice for Research.
Confidentiality:
Due to the interviews being conducted through an internet discussion forum, it is likely you will use a user-name or nick-name rather than your real name, meaning that your identity is anonymous to an extent, but most forums require a real name to sign up and/or create a profile, so you will be traceable, and therefore not completely anonymous. I will however assign each participant an ID code for the write up of this study, so you will not be identifiable and therefore your responses will remain confidential if mentioned.
Right to information:
If you so wish you will be given a chance to check your data. If you have requested to be anonymous, you can ensure that nothing is included which may identify you. Also, a summary of the research will be made available to the participants, as well as a copy of any publications resulting from the research, if desired.
Further queries:
If you have any other questions and require further clarification, please email me: clb103@bham.ac.uk. I will be happy to answer any questions. Also feel free to email my supervisors if you would like to discuss anything with them:
Dr Charlotte Ross
rossce@adf.bham.ac.uk
Dr Emma Foster
fosterEA@adf.bham.ac.uk
here is the first set of questions for those who want to take part-
What is your age, sex, location, ethnicity and sexual orientation?
What tattoo/s do you have? Why did you choose that particular design? Does it have a particular meaning for you? Was your choice of tattoo affected by current trends in tattooing at all? If so was there a reason for this? If not, why?
Where are the tattoo/s on your body? What was the reason behind the placement of your tattoo/s? If so why? (If there is one as mentioned above).
next set will be posted on monday!! xx
What tattoo/s do you have? The kind made out of ink.
Why did you choose that particular design? I love goats..
Does it have a particular meaning for you? their beard tickled me when I was little.
Was your choice of tattoo affected by current trends in tattooing at all? I do love L.A Ink. Can’t get enough of that cat.
If so was there a reason for this? If not, why? I’m a fashion whore.
Where are the tattoo/s on your body? Chest and arm.
What was the reason behind the placement of your tattoo/s? He didn’t want to do them on my geintals.
If so why? (If there is one as mentioned above). W…what?
What tattoo/s do you have? Lots
Why did you choose that particular design? I like stars. Like butterfly’s.
Does it have a particular meaning for you? Not realy they was just because i could besides my love tatoo was for my daughter although it didnt turn out how i wanted.
Was your choice of tattoo affected by current trends in tattooing at all? Nope.
If so was there a reason for this? Nope.
If not, why? Dunno
Where are the tattoo/s on your body? What was the reason behind the placement of your tattoo/s? If so why? (If there is one as mentioned above). Both wrists down my arm an foot and on my back. Also getting a ankle tatoo.
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