Thank you for taking the time to read about the ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diary research project. Please do take the time to read the information sheet below. Please also note this is a diary/photo research project and not a survey research project.
The consent survey is now closed. I will keep this page updated with information about the project!
Based on this research project’s use of diaries for research during Coronavirus, I’ve co-authored a chapter with my supervisor Professor Debbie Watson entitled ‘Exploring the use of crafting and making during COVID-19’. This will be available in an upcoming e-book entitled ‘Researching in the Age of COVID-19’ which is edited by Helen Kara and Su-Ming Khoo and due to be published in October 2020. More information about the book is available here: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/researching-in-the-age-of-covid-1
If you’ve already completed the consent survey, you can then start recording and sharing your Crafting During Coronavirus Diaries with me by emailing them to me. I will always reply to your email so you know these diaries have been received. I’ve shared some examples of my own Crafting During Coronavirus Diaries which can be found here: https://naomialice.co.uk/my-crafting-during-coronavirus-diary/
Please send me an email to nc12824@bristol.ac.uk if you have any questions or would like to talk about the research further.
You can also click the following links to download copies to keep of:
Information sheet
Crafting During Coronavirus
My name is Naomi Clarke and I am at the University of Bristol studying for a Social Work PhD.
“What is the research about?”
This research has a twofold purpose. First, it aims to explore the role of craft during COVID19. Secondly, it aims to build a bespoke and interactive website to support craft, connections, occupation and wellbeing during COVID19 where people can take ownership/authorship of their crafting through recording and sharing their ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ experiences, celebrating their achievements, having purposeful, creative activities with tangible outcomes, and connecting with like-minded individuals.
“What is involved?”
I’m interested to hear any stories in relation to your crafting experiences and how you feel before, during and after crafting during COVID19 (Coronavirus). Taking part would firstly involve completing the consent form which you can find here. After you’ve completed the consent form, taking part then involves keeping an ongoing ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diary and then sending them to me via email (nc12824@bristol.ac.uk).
“What is a ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diary?”
A ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diary is a diary framework that allows you to record, reflect and narrate your experiences of using craft and how you feel during COVID19 including:
- The date
- The location (country and also where in the house)
- What you’re crafting
- How you feel (before, during and after crafting)
- Whether you’re using social media in relation to your crafting
- Any other thoughts/reflections
- Any craft photos
“How do I complete the ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diary?”
It is completely up to you how to complete it. The aim is that the diary provides a framework from which you can create, adapt, explore and record your ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ experiences. Some options for completing the diary include (but are not limited to):
- Downloading the free Word diary template which can be completed digitally on a laptop
- Copying and pasting the diary template into another document, or an app (such as Evernote) to be completed digitally
- Printing out the free Word diary template and completing it by hand
- Handwriting/stitching/drawing/stamping/beaded/crafting your own version of the diary template using the headings as a framework
The aim is simply to get crafting and recording. It is up to you how much detail to include and how often to complete it. Ideally, it would be great if you could complete it whenever you do any crafting. Once completed, you can then email it to me (along with any other craft photos or photos of craft related objects) either through scanning it in or through photographing it. You can complete the diary as often as you’d like and you can send me your diary/photos as often as you’d like.
“What about privacy?”
I may write academic publications and give talks based on this project. I may use direct quotes and/or your experiences, thoughts and the photos of your work but I will not use your name, or any other identifying information without your express consent. Everything you say will be private, unless you say something that makes me worry about serious harm (which is behaviour that poses a risk physically and/or emotionally) either to yourself or to others. If this happens, then I’ll need to talk about this with my supervisor. All of the photos and explanations will be stored on a password-protected backed-up University of Bristol network computer and anonymised. You have the right to request for your data to be erased at any point and for any reason. This request may, however, be difficult to ensure if the data has been suitably anonymised.
“What if I want to share photos of some of my crafts but I don’t want the images to be used in reports/publications?”
That’s absolutely okay! I’d still love to see any (and every) photo that you’d like to share of your ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ experience. Please just clearly state in your email and in the consent survey that you don’t want any of the images to be used in any reports or publications.
“What crafts are you interested in?”
I am interested in any and all crafts. I want to hear from everyone who engages in craft during Coronavirus and how it makes them feel, irrespective of where they are on their crafting journey – every detail matters. There is no singular right or wrong way to engage in crafting, I want to hear about the everyday makes, the unfinished make, the “I don’t think it is good enough” make, the proudest make, the finished make, the “shove it in a drawer until I feel more able to tackle it” make…if it is a ‘during Coronavirus’ crafting make then I would love to hear about it!
“What next?”
Your participation is entirely voluntary. If you’re happy to take part in the project then please complete the consent survey which is available here: https://sps.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/craftingduringcoronavirus
I will keep records of the consent survey completion and these records will be destroyed if you withdraw your consent. Once you’ve completed the consent survey, you can then start to send me an email (or emails) with your ‘Crafting During Coronavirus’ diaries and photos.
If you don’t wish to take part then that’s okay and this will not go any further. You do not have to take part in this research and participation is voluntary.
Further information:
If you’d like to know any more about the project I’m more than happy to talk with you. My contact details and my PhD supervisor’s details (Professor Debbie Watson) are available on the bottom of this form. I’ve received ethical approval from the School for Policy Studies Ethics Committee at the University of Bristol.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Naomi Clarke
nc12824@bristol.ac.uk
PhD supervisor:
Professor Debbie Watson
01179546786
debbie.watson@bristol.ac.uk