Using Social Constructs - Research Paper Example

Social Science Research By Devangini Mahapatra Social constructions are the parameters that are used to study the elements that contribute to the wider areas like ecotourism and so on. This is a significant and interesting premise derived from my synthesis of the conception of social constructions. Based on this premise, I will observe a social scene at a public place so as to carry out interpretation in terms of a specific context. In the second part of this research work, I will undertake the activity of designing a questionnaire that will be aimed at studying a particular event from the perspective of its management and improvement. These two activities will be undertaken in context of research for a future paper on a social science issue. Therefore, it is imperative to state at the very onset that the work in this research paper will be presented in third person, where I will simply be a casual bystander observing the scene and then formulating a certain framework within which the various individuals and groups may be studied. The reason I have chosen ecotourism is because this adheres to the protection of areas in terms of the social constructs according to which people behave in such places. The second part which will be presented in terms of a questionnaire will show the factors that have influenced my choice of questions in terms of finding a suitable construct within which to assess the management of the event in question besides recommending certain measures that will contribute to its effectiveness. Part A In this section, I will study the social scene created at the Lamington National Park in Queensland, Australia. I will observe this scene for close to 60 minutes and subsequently put down my interpretations of the various groups I have observed and the patterns demonstrated by these groups in context of a particular aspect of the social construction of the environment. Owing to its diverse wildlife and vegetation, ecotourism in Australia is more a way of life than a trend. The Lamington National Park is based in South East Queensland and is a commercialised form of a park in the sense that it is an eco resort. This is the charm of this park as described by the various world heritage journals. Aimed at honeymooners, this place has been described as paradise by many owing to its spectacular waterfalls as well as the rock features and walkways. This scene was observed by me between 10 am and 11 am on a certain day. It was a bright day and there was a lot of activity happening. The park had a sizable amount of visitors, who were a mixture of local visitors, tourists who had driven down and people who were staying the various suites at this park. The first group consisted of a group of Asian tourists. They were marvelling at the beautiful walkways that seemed to flow from one tree to another. It was a group of six people with three men and three women. While the men were eager to get onto the walkway and experience the unique spectacle before their eyes, two of the women didn't seem so sure. There was a sudden gust of wind which shook the walkway a little, promoting the women to back off and pull the men behind too. The men simply laughed off their fears and continued towards the walkways. These people were clicking pictures constantly. The second group was a twosome consisting of a honeymooning couple. They were staying at the resort as they were talking about their beautiful canopy suite. These two people seemed more into each other than their surroundings and did not have anything in particular on their agenda. The third group consisted of two couples and five children. They seemed like local visitors out on a weekend with their children. The children were rushing around, eager to get onto the bus for the guided bushwalking hike and the balancing rock. They seemed impatient while their parents were busy talking to each other. The men were discussing work while the women were discussing schools. The only people paying any attention to these children were the first group of Asian visitors. The fourth group consisted of five students - three boys and two girls. They seemed like they were doing a post graduation course at least. They had come specifically to listen to bird calls and complete a biology project. They were speaking with the guide at the park while one of them was handing out print outs of agendas to the other four. They sat in one place and had a discussion where questions were asked and doubts were cleared. Then they decided to split up and the main objective was decided as spotting the rare Albert's Lyrebird. They had their cameras in place and were taking notes. This brings me to the interpretation of the scene in context of these four groups. The first group was typified in its gender reactions to nature. The men were eager to try this once in a lifetime opportunity having come so far to Australia, while the women wanted a more peaceful day. With just a gust of wind, the women got an excuse not to take the "treacherous" walkway. These people seemed like they were in their early 40s. While a sense of adventure is normal in men, it was also seen that a sense of fear takes over most women when it comes to nature in its most natural form as they grow older. In this context, the second group, i.e., the honeymooners seemed to want nothing but to be with each. To a certain degree the location heighten their sense of togetherness and they were enjoying every moment of being together with the added advantage of the beautiful park and its various features. In this regard, the third group seemed to be attracting a lot of attention on account of the children who wanted to try everything at once. Needless to say, they were enchanted by their surroundings, while their parents simply wanted to spend time peacefully, talking to their friends and basically, not wanting to spend another weekend at home or work. While the surroundings did not seem to affect them on a conscious level, they were definitely more relaxed, especially in their reactions towards their children, as the breeze and the greenery helped them open up and discuss their week. In this regard, the third group seemed like a group of people who needed to leave their usual surroundings which did not necessarily imply that they needed to be in a place of natural splendour. For them, the place had to be one where they would not have to make an effort of any kind and the park gave them that space. Thus, on a sub surface level, ecotourism definitely affected them. The final group consisting of students had a definite motive that guided their actions. It was obvious that they had come to this park with a purpose, yet it was clear that at a sub conscious level, they all liked the place they were in owing to their obvious choice of study and location they had chosen for this project. They all seemed in tandem with each other, with one or two people taking the initiative that the rest followed. There were no obvious signs of conflict as they all went about their tasks. This interpretation shows that at some level or another, there is a leaning and response to ecotourism as a social construct for most people of any age, gender or ethnicity. Part B This part will revolve around the designing of a questionnaire aimed at the people attending and managing a particular event. This even will be a hypothetical one where the rationale behind the choice of questions in context of the event will be explained. The questions will be set in a way so as to assess the management style and the improvements that can be made in the same, effectively. To begin with, it is imperative to describe the event. The name of the event is Children with a Purpose. The basic elements of this event are getting children of destitute women and socially deprived communities to participate. These children will then be asked to say a few lines on their aim in life. The basic age group aimed at during this event is 8 to 15 years, and the projections are 50 children. These children will then be asked to dip their palms in paint and press their palms against a canvas. There will be 10 canvasses which will have the imprints of five children each. For this event, ten artists - basically art school students from the area and around have been requested to come down. These artists will be served brunch while the process of getting the imprints is underway. Once the imprints are on the canvasses, these artists will paint a picture around these imprints and write the various operational words that will represent each child's dream. The time frame for completing these paintings will be an hour, during which time lunch will be served to the children and guests. These painting will be completed within an hour and then auctioned to the guests. The funds garnered thereof will be used to fund a centre for vocational training for these children. Thus, there needs to be perfect coordination between the management and the people attending so as to make sure every individual's need is catered for, apart from any last minute emergencies and cancellations. The questionnaire designed is as follows: Question 1: What are the three most important elements of this event' Rationale for choice of question: This question has been chosen so as find a consensus on what the event must be all about so as to find a model upon which it may be managed. Question 2: What should the catch phrase of the event be' Rationale for choice of question: this will help feel the pulse of the management as well as the people who are attending and the focus will be on the final objective. Question 3: What is the significance of this cause in your personal life' Rationale for choice of question: this question will help assess the responsibility of each person involved and accordingly place them in terms of capabilities and weaknesses. This will also help assess the motivational factors for participation and delegate responsibility accordingly. Question 4: How many of these kinds of events do you attend or organise in a year' Rationale for choice of question: this will give an insight into the broad experience group which the organisers and the visitors will fit into so as to determine what the actual scale of the event should be. Question 5: How many children do you have' If none, then how many children do you interact with on a monthly basis' Rationale for choice of question: this question will help determine the class of people who will manage and attend the event in terms of relevant area of experience (teachers might be preferred), level of study (students might be used basically as volunteers unless the art students have young siblings at home), as well as age and gender. This will help ensure that there is general awareness level among the people involved and also to make sure that they are more or less like minded. At the same time, there will also be a focus on creating a subtle eclectic mix to gain a number of perspectives. Question 6: How many parties will be involved in the food catering, canvas and painting material supply as well as the maintenance of the grounds where the event is taking place' Rationale for choice of question: this question will help assess how coordinated the event will be by delegating the authority and responsibility areas before hand. Also, this help put one person in charge of every party. Read More