Fan‘s Cosplay Culture & Identity Research Proposal

Summary of research question:

The increasing popularity of cosplay has attained substantial prominence in the domain of media communications. The prevalence of cosplay has led to rising concerns over the changing levels of apprehension among individuals of a different gender as well as the association of fan culture with cosplay as a driving force. Research objectives are derived from these questions and are indicative of measures to define the causes for decreasing apprehensions among individuals participating in cosplay to engage in costuming relevant for the opposite gender as well as the influence of fan culture on the profound factors responsible for the development of relations between individuals of different nations and cultures which signifies the resolution of cultural differences. The foremost example has been noted in the adoption of Japanese comics and anime characters in cosplay events prominently (Seregina & Weijo, 2016).

This serves as a formal channel for communicating the Japanese culture to different nations. The following research report outline provides a literature review about the context of the initial days of cosplay, the evolution of cosplay over the years, the limitations on gender-based cosplay and its impact on identity, the development of fan culture through cinema, comics, and fan magazines and the impact of fan culture on the present cosplay industry (Booth & Kelly, 2013).

Thereafter the research outline dictates the research methodology which comprises an illustration of the methods used for collecting data from primary and secondary sources, selecting samples, and analysis of data using ethnography. Finally, the research outline depicts the ethical considerations which are mandatory for the research project.

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Literature review:

Cosplay has been derived from the blend of the words costume and play and its origins have been dated back to 1910 when masquerading with unusual costumes started to come into vogue. Sources from the literature have indicated that cosplay is primarily associated with the animation, sci-fi, cinema, and comic book industries. As per Scott, the fans of Japanese pop culture have also been attributed to major contributed to the development of cosplay acts since the characters impersonated in the acts can be observed as profound features in animation and comics (Scott, 2015).

The development of sci-fi fan communities such as Star Trek and Star Wars fans also contributed to the increasing adaptability to role-playing and paving flexibility for the popularity of cosplay acts. Schroy et al said that it has been observed in various research studies that the conventional media audience perceives cosplay acts as an act deserving of social stigma nevertheless failing to obstruct the growth of cosplay as a global phenomenon (Schroy et al, 2015).

Literature conveys that the references to the perception of cosplay as an outcome of fan pathology have been subject to ambiguity due to the consideration of factors such as the perception of gender as a dichotomous entity and transmission models of media. The apprehensions which could be drawn on this basis refer to the modification in human body appearance as the predecessor of identity disorder and sexual abnormality.

However, research assumptions critically state that structuring the symbolic presentation of a character through modification of human body appearance should not be preceded by observing the simulated image as an object of sexual pleasure. Therefore Jeewa & Wade said that the individual practicing cosplay or the subject can be assigned with an inherent desire to assume the garb of a fictional or an artificial character (Jeewa & Wade, 2015). Excerpts from cosplay have also indicated that cosplay acts play a considerable role in complicating the paradigms about fans as practical interpreters or manipulators of textual events. As per Leng, related to apprehensions, cosplay enables an individual to express their alternative experiences, identities, and scenarios which can be considered as a viable representation of the impact of cosplay in limiting the traditional barriers to communication (Leng, 2014).

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The self-satisfaction derived from cosplay is also considered with the consumption of the character’s image for a pleasurable experience. Furthermore, the requirements of cosplay could also require an individual to adorn the identity of a character whose gender is different from that of the individual. Despite the positive implications which are observed from the different research outcomes about cosplay, the criticisms of various fan communities and conventions for cosplay are evident.

However, it is necessary to consider the hypothesis of accomplishing self-satisfaction from the cosplay acts and the influence of cosplay on gender boundaries. The arguments of Henry Jenkins and Matt Hill could be appropriate inclusions in this literature review since they provide an impression of the role of aca-fans or academic fans with a substantial and comprehensive impression of particular franchises and characters. As per Plante et al, Aca fandom is not necessarily considered a community of scholars due to the different identified positions, a variety of critical practices, and bids for authority within distinct fan communities (Plante et al, 2014).

The account provided by Matt Hills on the concept of aca fandom refers to the two distinct entities such as normalizing and leveling. Normalization refers to the integration of fan knowledge into academic knowledge and thereby signifies the authorization of aca fandom as a generation-based transition in the institutions. As per Cristofari & Guitton, Leveling is concerned with generational changes and it validates that there is no particular distinction between fan information and academic knowledge which accounts for flexible transfer between the two (Cristofari & Guitton, 2016).

The arguments of Matt Hill refer to the illustration of normalization as a predecessor of better academic knowledge among academic fans rather than scholars without any source of fan engagement or knowledge. Despite the prominent ambiguities which could be observed in the case of normalization in the critique of the emerging forms of scholarship, the contribution of fan culture to the modification in the academic industry has to be taken into consideration mandatorily. On the other hand, leveling refers to the loss of critical distance from fandom and academics since the scholar knowledge and fan knowledge are validated limiting the institutional privileges for questioning the methodologies used to study culture.

The impact of fan culture has also been identified as a formal function in the context of the academic interpretation of popular communities and is often characterized by limitations to specific communities. It can be observed in the literature that the implications of fan scholars on the diversity and increasing acceptance of cosplay are characterized by the determination of proper distance. As per Roberts et al, Reflection on personal fan practices rather than a wide variety of fan activities leads to skewed representations by aca fans thereby causing a limited representation of cosplay in academics (Roberts et al, 2014).

The reflection on literature about behavioral implications of fans on the addressing of fandom as a process of self-mirroring and superficial consideration of aca fandom shows the formidable impact of fan culture on the understanding of cosplay as an unconventional form of representing cultures. The question of sub-communities within existing fan communities could be associated with the objectives of ensuring diversity in practice and attachment. As per Tsai, Research studies have also investigated the implications of fan fiction in fan studies which are prolific indicators of fan culture (Tsai, 2016). Appreciation for cosplay is therefore derived from personal satisfaction, the ability to express identities, emotions, and experiences explicitly, and the pleasure obtained from the impersonation of a fictional character.

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The secondary information accessible for the research issue has substantial benefits for the current research activity. However, the pitfalls which can be observed explicitly in the research could be the foundation for future research activity. As per Cristofari & Guitton, the references to a fandom and its implications on fan culture as well as the subsequent impact on the prospects for expansion of cosplay as a global phenomenon have to be complemented with references to textual poachers which distinctly represent a single fan community (Cristofari & Guitton, 2016).

The limitation of leveling as well as introducing normalization aspects for the promotion of fan culture has to be studied in future research. Nevertheless, the research information also requires major additions in the form of information related to gender identity implications in the perception of cosplay.

Research methodology:

The research methodology for answering the research question depicts the approach followed in sampling, data collection, and analysis on a generic basis. The research activity follows a qualitative approach to apprehend the intangible aspects of culture and apprehensions based on gender and identity. Distinct implications for using sampling methods to determine the population for the selected techniques for data collection such as participant observation and in-depth interviews can be perceived as necessities in the domain of this research activity. Even if a research activity can be illustrated with the use of a huge number of people in the sample, the selection of different types of sampling techniques such as random sampling, convenience sampling, and snowball sampling (Jeewa & Wade, 2015).

The research activity is aligned with a subject that appeals to a specific audience and hence snowball sampling could enable recognition of other individuals related to the research topic. The use of snowball sampling may not be wholly representative of the cosplay community but proves to be a major source of interaction with a hard-to-reach population. Snowball sampling used in the research activity accounted for the inclusion of 8 respondents in the questionnaire interview. Questionnaire interviews are perceived as the most efficient and productive resource used in qualitative research. It has been observed in distinct citations in business management literature that snowball sampling provides convenient access to the relevant population which can provide a reasonable response to the interview questions (Schroy et al, 2015).

The appropriateness of the snowball sampling method can be validated based on its resourcefulness in getting in touch with individuals associated with cosplay. The data collection from primary sources can be ensured through a selection of a sample comprising of individuals with interests in a varying comic book, animation, and movie franchises which provides an accurate impression of the impact of fan culture. Selected places where the sample was formed include comic con and cosplay conventions and summits.

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The appropriateness of interviews for the current research topic can be ensured through the focus and shift among which the former involves a conclusive benefit of obtaining information related to specific situations complemented with self-reflection of participants while answering the interview questions. The shift observed in the case of interview application refers to the acquisition of information through the appropriate construction of meaning and depiction of a good interview design can help accomplish the desired objectives. The use of semi-structured interviews for the research assignment reflects the prospects for specificity and broadness of the questions and the relevant subject material combined by them.

The use of specific narrative questions for the introduction of meaning-based construction of opinions and thus it aims at eliciting stories which could lead to a better apprehension of the research issue. The outcomes of the data collection process serve as inputs for data analysis which rely on specific criteria such as semiotic analysis and content-based analysis (Booth & Kelly, 2013). The prominent impact of fan culture on the propagation of cosplay requires analysis of cultural implications associated with the research issue.

The use of discourse analysis as a valid method for determining the outcomes of the specific research project in context can include prominent references to the definition of discourse. Discourse has been confused with many definitions only with the consideration of the specific manner in which an issue is discussed and apprehended. Different essential forms of discourse analysis based on the social constructionist approach reflect on the efficiency of critical discourse analysis which could help in deriving relevant outcomes for the research. The use of discourse analysis as a qualitative form of data analysis can be validated by the deductive approach followed in the discourse analysis. Discourse analysis reflects on the primary rationale referring to the existence of a social reality independent of a language and the circulation of knowledge based on sign systems and other prominent indicators apart from language. The profound advantage associated with discourse analysis is the apprehension of outcomes as a function of the discursive needs of the research rather than assuming the outcomes to be the absolute truth. It is essential to consider that cosplay is not limited to costumes and themes and can be expanded further toward the representation of cosplay as an embodied practice. Discourse analysis could be ensured through the data observed from participants in the data collection process. Discourse analysis can be considered as a major contributor to the construction of arguments and it can be also considered as a viable form of content analysis. The selection of discourse analysis for this research can be validated on the grounds of the availability of various discourses about cosplay from participants as well as online sources and published journals.

Ethnography is considered with the measurement of cultural aspects and description of the events alongside apprehending the underlying meaning implications associated with the cosplay acts. The utilization of ethnography is considered promising since the outcomes can predict the cultural significance of the event. In the case of the present research issue, the use of ethnography can contribute to the determination of the impact of fan culture on the increasing prominence of cosplay and the prospects associated with the same. Ethnography has been widely implemented for apprehending the different cultural elements associated with the representation of certain issues in the media. The use of ethnography in media and communication can be accountable for distinct advantages. First of all, ethnography provides a flexible platform for learning about the audiences and is generally implemented in the case of studies of fan cultures. The participation of individuals in specific communities such as fans engaging in cosplay acts can be observed comprehensively with the application of ethnography as a method for data analysis. The in-depth observation of the different inputs provided by participants of the research activity could be helpful for the research activity as the implications of ethnography can be inclusive of reliability and emphasis on trivial research information.

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Ethical considerations:

The necessity for emphasis on ethics in research activity is indicative of the frequency with which ethical issues have been observed in research activities. The foremost consideration in terms of ethics in the research indicates the transparency of communication with participants. The participants of the research must be informed of the research objectives and their due permission is mandatory for including them in the research work. This consideration allows substantial advantages in the form of the flexibility of the participants in responding to the questions on an unbiased and unrestrained basis (Roberts et al, 2014). The next ethical consideration in the research is directed toward the fulfillment of the confidentiality privileges of participants. The identity of the respondents has to be kept anonymous to access honest and straightforward opinions about the research topic.

The researcher must communicate all necessary details of the ethical considerations necessary in the research activity could also induce substantial levels of compliance with the ethical guidelines for the research (Plante et al, 2014). The use of illegitimate approaches for funding and support for the research is highly refuted in the context of the ethical implications of research activity. Research outcomes can be revised thoroughly with references to ethical considerations to find suitable improvements for research activities in the future. The research outline depicted above has to be reviewed effectively to introduce viable modifications in sampling, data collection, and data analysis processes depending on the context of the research issue and the concerned population associated with it.