The Research Process for Musicians

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject provides performers and composers with the skills necessary to devise and complete successful research projects in the area of music at postgraduate level. It addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects involved in the research process in the creative arts.
An overview of the major questions addressed by music scholars and the underlying assumptions of different types of music research will be provided. Students will gain the ability to identify possible research topics in music and develop an awareness of the relationship between theory and method and how they come together in actual musical scholarship.
Practical skills will be developed through workshop activities, group discussions, peer-reviewing sessions and written assignments. Topics covered include library use and literature search, research evaluation strategies, handling and managing of research data, writing skills, time management, and academic presentation skills.
Students will develop a complete research proposal, including research questions, literature review, theoretical and methodological framework and time schedule.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Devise and develop a successful research proposal within their field;
• Frame their creative work or performance into research questions and conceptual frameworks;
• Engage critically with the relevant scholarly literature;
• Position their creative work or performance practice within the current state of research;
• Communicate effectively about their compositional or performing practices within the conventions of academic language;
• Reflect critically on their own work;
• Work constructively yet rigorously with peers

Four written assignments submitted throughout semester equivalent to 2,000 words (20%); assessment of peer’s project (10%); a written project proposal of 3,000 words, due end of semester (35%); a 10-minute oral presentation on the project, to be given in the second half of semester (25%); attendance and participation (10%).

A reading pack will be available for purchase from the Bookroom before the start of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed:

• Critical thinking and analytical skills;
• Ability to seek out, organise and evaluate relevant information;
• Time management skills;
• Advanced communication skills, both oral and written;
• Collaborative skills;
• Capacity for independent, self-reflective and critical enquiry