THE RESEARCH OF THE EVOLUTION OF TRADITIONAL ARTS USING GROUNDED THEORY DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Studying the evolution of traditional arts in the XXI century brings with it the need to take into account a series of other concepts that are somewhat new in the study of traditional cultures, namely: pseudo-traditions and traditional kitsch, and also of already existing concepts such as the process of traditionalization and the adapting process of traditional arts. To better define these new concepts and to understand the reason behind the change in the traditional arts, I have chosen to use a grounded theory approach to the research to highlight and point out the reason and process behind the adaption and evolution of traditional arts. The method I intend to use to collected data is in-depth interviewing combined with the observation of the interviewee in his environment or surrounded by his creations. But the Covid-19 pandemic has overthrown the data collection plans. In this article I want to emphasize the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has on data collection and analysis, impacting the result of the research overall. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced me to reassess the data collection method approach. The in-depth interviews have transformed into semi-structured or even structured interviews, with the interviewee being able to easily avoid sensitive or disliked questions. It also takes the possibility of the researcher to analyze the behavior or reactions of the interviewee, limiting the data analyzed. The difference between the quality of data collected from face-to-face interviews compared to telephone or on-line interviewing is emphasized by the degree of the interviewee’s openness when discussing sensitive subjects, the predominance of non-opinion answers or evasive ones. In this article I want to emphasize the effect of the pandemic on the research of traditional arts using a qualitative methodology. Although on-line video interviews offer a closer to face-to-face interview experience, the interviewee is more prone to avoiding sensitive subjects or ending the interview altogether.