Approaches to Research - Music Education

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

On campus delivery only. Please note this subject is not offered externally or via distance education.

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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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject considers the nature of, approaches to and methodologies employed in qualitative research in music education. Students will be introduced to the principal means and methods of data collection and analysis as well as to the design and reporting of music education research. The location and application of scholarly literature that may be used to inform music education research will also be considered. Students will also consider the role of teachers as music education researchers and the application of research findings to music teaching and learning. Students will develop a proposal for undertaking a small-scale research project.

This subject is taught by Associate Professor Robin Stevens.

On completion of this subject, students should have gained:

• An enhanced understanding and critical awareness of the nature of research in music education, and of the various approaches to, methodologies employed in and applications of qualitative research in music education;
• The ability to locate and critically review research literature in field of music education;
• A capacity to design and develop a proposal for a small-scale research project that may be undertaken in a subsequent subject, Professional Research Project.

1,500-word critical review of selected readings (20%); 10-minute class presentation on Day 4 (30%); and a 3,000-word proposal for a small-scale research project in music education, due five weeks after the conclusion of the subject (50%). Provision will be made for the sharing of students’ work.

A book of readings and online resources will be distributed to students before the first class.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will have enhanced the following generic skills:

• The capacity to apply new concepts to their critical interpretation of familiar and new information and experiences;
• The ability to produce scholarly writing.