Applied Research Methods in Music

This subject is not offered in 2012.

A total of 120 hours (including non-contact time)

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students will acquire the essential research skills to devise, carry out and complete an exegesis of their work or performance at postgraduate level. Students will engage with the key principles of research and academic writing in the preparation of a research proposal which can potentially form the basis for a future thesis.

The subject will be structured around a number of workshops, seminars, group discussions and peer-reviewing sessions. Students will be supported in defining and focusing their research questions, developing and refining a critical summary of the relevant literature, constructing an adequate conceptual framework, adhering to and meeting deadlines, and presenting their work persuasively both in oral and written form.

The subject will provide students with opportunities to discuss their project and receive feedback from both lecturer and peers, and students’ their academic skills will be strengthened by exploring issues such as advanced bibliographic and database management, resources currently available for music research, and the mechanics of scholarly writing.

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.

Five written assignments of 250 words each, submitted in weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 (25%); a 20-minute oral presentation on the project to be given in the second half of semester (25%); a written proposal of 3,000 words addressing all the relevant criteria, due end of semester (40%); attendance and participation (10%).

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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.