Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in computer Application to Painting: An Art Historical Perspective

Abstract

Art historical analysis of data collected from field trips have usually been through a qualitative method of analysis. The interpretations of results would often time take judgmental or subjective dimensions. Such analysis and interpretations could allow the reader of such a result to be tempted to suggest their own meanings or interpretations that may subjectively take a fresh perspective. With interdisciplinary researches and collaborations across disciplines, the possibility of benefiting from analytical methods of data analysis is making inroads into Art History. This makes it possible for the quantitative methods of using the Chi square test to arrive at positions and conclusions.

The focus of this research was to investigate the application of computer to Painting among painters in Nigeria. Saliu (1994:78) states how the religious and cultural life of the Ebira have been affected, as a result of the coming of Christianity and Islam, and how the influence of Western education changed the socio-political life of the Ebira. In the same vein, Western influence has continued unabated even with the computer. Change in the way artists work is also evident as well as its attendant influence on the painter. This research therefore, embarked on an investigative approach to arrive at the stated objectives. Data was collected from field trips using questionnaires, interviews, observation of painters at work with the computer, art galleries, books, magazines, newspapers, internet, and interviews via email with artists. Research equipment such as digital camera; video camera/recorder were used. In an attempt to study the paintings, a grouping of the works was made and critically analyzed, by considering the formalistic elements, programmes used and characteristics of the programmes.

Research design, according to Olaofe (2010:90) is a “blue print for the measurement of variables, collection and analysis of data”. The author goes further to list types of research designs like experimental, action-research, survey, longitudinal, analytical, correlation, descriptive and qualitative. The methodology employed for this investigation was based on art history paradigms which are essentially qualitative. This includes the survey method, descriptive method, and comparative analysis. These methods were adopted by previous researchers including Jari (2007), Wrong (2009), Adogbo and Ojo (2003), Trowel (1994) and Babalola (1981) in Saliu (1994), Evans (1965) and Lewis (2014). Quantitative values in the objectives necessitated the use of questionnaire as an exploratory tool which was statistically analysed.