How To Think Like a Neuroaesthetician – Designing a Research Project

Upon speaking to people who are interested in conducting neuroaesthetics research I realised that a common hurdle is figuring out what one wants to research. Neuroaesthetics is incredibly vast as multiple fields are merging such as philosophy, biology, psychology, neuroscience and of course the arts in its multiplexity. This is a wonderful thing because it means there is space in the field for so many collaborations, novel projects, and inspiration; so, it’s incredibly important that upcoming researchers have the guidance they need to step forward into projects that suit their interests. 

Therefore, to propel idea generation here is a revamp of some questions I formulated for a workshop with the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar in May 2021.

Image: Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar promotion image

Planning a Research Project - Questions to ask yourself

(Note: these questions are psychology and neuroscience-based)

Background/Aims and Hypotheses 

1.     What are your favourite art forms? Or artforms you have experience in?

-       This question aims to help you reflect on your artistic interests as there may be a specific sector of the arts that may inspire your research. Using myself as an example, I love performing arts hence why I’ve researched dance and theatre.

2.     What features of the art form do you find interesting?

-       This question aims to help you to deconstruct the art form of your choice into segments that can be operationalised for empirical research e.g., colours, shapes, sounds, movement, space.

3.     Which areas of the brain could be associated with these artistic features?

-       This question aims to link the features of the art form to the brain regions they may activate e.g., sounds activate the auditory cortex.

4.     Which physiological responses can be affected by these artistic features?

-       This question focuses on physiological responses caused by the autonomic nervous system e.g., an artistic experience could lead to an increased heart rate.

5.     Select one art form, feature, and brain region/physiological response to formulate a research title.

Complete this statement: This project will be investigating the effects of (insert feature) on (insert neurological or behavioural effect) in (insert art form)

6.     What are your hypotheses and predicted results?

-       This question aims to help you think about what you expect to find and whether it aligns with the literature or whether you’re looking for something new.

Methodology

7.     Who will the participants be?

-       This question aims to help you narrow down which segment of the population you are looking for these effects in e.g., expertise, age, gender

8.     Where will you conduct your research?

-       This question aims to help you decide where you want the study to take place e.g. in the lab or field.

9.     What brain imaging devices will you use and why?

-       This question aims to get you thinking about the brain areas you may have selected in question 3 and think about the most appropriate brain imaging device to measure that specific neural activity e.g., electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) etc.

10.  What physiological measurements will you collect and why?

-       This question aims to get you thinking about the physiological responses you may have selected in question 4 and think about the most appropriate brain imaging device to measure that specific physiological response e.g., galvanic skin receptors, heart rate monitors, eye tracking devices etc.

11.  Which other measurements will you collect e.g., self-reports?

-       This question aims to help you think about subjective measures as not all facets of human behaviour can be accessed objectively. One example could be using self-report questionnaires. 

12.  What are the implications of your research?

-       This question aims to help you think about the wider purpose of your research. How will it benefit the population, how is it meaningful outside of the lab? 

After jotting down answers to these questions try to formulate a paragraph that could be used as a personal research project proposal. This paragraph may help you articulate your ideas to potential or current supervisors. It may also help you narrow down which articles/papers to read so you can gain insight into what research has already been done on your topic. 

If you are a staff or student and would like to use this as a worksheet or would like me to administer a workshop,

contact me at: dgrea001@gold.ac.uk