Brief: A detailed proposal and scheme of work/schedule for the production of your dissertation to include project milestones

Peter, this is an interesting proposal, which addresses an ongoing issue of safety, behaviours and responsibility at events, particularly music festivals which, certainly in Western contexts, continue to be sites of hedonistic behaviour. It would be useful to clarify which events and locations (and therefore societal norms present) that you intend to study – this would help identify firm parameters for the research. It would also be useful to have some data about the number of H&S incidents at this type of event so that we can understand the scope of the issue at hand.

A concern over the methodology is that as we continue to be in lockdown contexts in various ways (including with social distancing) throughout the globe, how you might conduct any primary research at live events? I would suggest therefore that you conduct this retrospectively, asking how people’s behaviors have been at past events using one data collection method – you note intended use of five but you ideally need to select one (max two) and plan and execute them thoroughly in order that you can analyse the resulting data in sufficient depth in a thesis of this size.

Given COVID, I would recommend a mixed methods survey with 100 responses minimum or interviews (max of 10). You would also need to consider how you might access the participants (social media perhaps?) and whether you are interested in understanding the behaviours of a particular demographic – you note a random study but this still needs some structure.

(I am aware of an interesting opportunity to gather COVID H&S research – Malta will be holding 4 music festivals in August, location chosen due to the islands low COVID occurrence – there are reassurances that all COVID regulations will be adhered to, and yet I wonder how far attendees will observe these? Something to consider perhaps?)

I would have liked to have seen more evidence of secondary research throughout the assignment – you explore some relevant sources in the literature review, but only 4, and there is a lack of conceptual framework. I understand that you are undertaking a grounded theory approach, but this decision needs further detailed explanation and acknowledgement in the methodology and timeline i.e. when will you be engaging with the theoretical literature?

I wonder if you might consider exploring genre theory and fandom to your conceptual framework – there is some interesting research on the beahviours of fans at certain events i.e. mosh pits and rock / metal festivals.