MUSIC 808

MUSIC 808

Research Methods in Music Education

Instructor: Frederick Burrack, Ph.D.

Office: 308 McCain Auditorium

Time: Monday, 6:30-9:00

Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description:

The main purpose of this course is to help students clearly understand and apply research concepts of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. This course guides the learning through research methods to help plan and compose their first educational research project. Students will learn how to prepare a research plan, gather and analyze data, address research questions and hypotheses, and organize a report for their project.

Required texts:

Charles, C.M., & Mertler, C.A. (2002). Introduction to educational research (5th ed). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon

Reserved readings: assigned by instructor, placed on electronic reserve

Objectives: As a result of instruction and course assignments, students are expected to:

read, analyze, and critically evaluate current research literature in music and music education.
communicate an understanding of important issues related to research in music and music education and discuss implications of research in their respective disciplines.
demonstrate an understanding of concepts involved in the preliminary stages of music research, including the review of related literature, selection of a research problem, construction of hypotheses, and definition of variables.
demonstrate an understanding of techniques involved in the methodological stages of music research, including the construction of research designs and paradigms.
demonstrate an understanding of elements of the concluding stages of music research, including the analysis of data, reporting research results, and discussion of those results; and conduct a small-scale research study and report its results.
become familiar with appropriate professional forums for displaying and discussing research results

Expectations

Attendance: Prompt attendance is expected as a demonstration of professional commitment. 2% will be taken off of your final grade for each unexcused absence. Each tardy = 1% off of the final grade. If you know you must be absent from this class, you should speak with Dr. Burrack before your absence stating the reasons for your absence and agreeing upon a way to make up the work.   

Class Participation: Since class discussion is at the heart of this course, students are expected to actively participate. The dynamics of this class, and its ultimate value to you, require you to come to class prepared, bringing questions and comments to stimulate discussions.   

Email: All students need to regularly check their email. Important communication regarding this course may take place via email. Make it a part of your daily routine.   Many assignments will be turned in and replied through email.

Honor Policy: Students of the university must conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty by a student will not be tolerated and will be treated in accordance with the Student Academic Ethics Policy. Plagiarism or violations of copyright policies are a form of academic dishonesty.    Please review the KSU Honor System online (http://www.ksu.edu/honor/) or via the K-State Graduate Course Catalog also available online (http://www.ksu.edu/grad/catalog/)

*Note: If you need course adaptations, access to technology, or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Assignments:

All assignments are due by the class time on the date specified. They may be turned in advance of the due date. Grades on late assignments will be lowered by 10% for each day they are late. An exception to this policy is if the student is personally ill (doctor’s excuse required) or has a death in his/her immediate family. The student should see the instructor immediately upon his/her return to make arrangements to complete missed assignments at the earliest possible date.

Students must complete ALL assignments in order to receive a letter grade for the course. All written assignments are to be word-processed with MSWord, follow APA style, and meet the highest standards of form, spelling, and grammar. Required revisions are expected but can only earn up to 90% of possible points.   

Process Journal: Because your graduate study will represent a major developmental journey in your professional life, I want you to identify and respond to the many questions and observations you will confront in your process of discovery. This journal should be a chronicle of your experiences, questions, puzzles, and understandings over this period of time. I consider your work on the journal to be a priority in this class – the quality of your writing, the depth of your questioning, and the significant reflections you discuss will be one of the ways in which I can sense your growth.

  Article Reviews: Each student is to read and review 8 research articles. To make the most effective use of this assignment, these should be related to your selected problem for your class research project (for use in your literature review). These ‘articles reviews’ must include citation in APA format, an outline summary and reflective discussion on the usefulness of the study.

Sample citation:

Author Last name, First initials. (Year of publication). Title of article (only the first word is capitalized). Journal Title, Volume Number, (Issue number), Pages

Example:

Single, N. A. (1991). A summary of research-based principles of effective teaching. UPDATE: Application of Research in Music Education, 9, (2), 3-10

Class Assignments: You will have periodic assignments to practice the skills involved in various methodologies.

Quizzes and Exams: Period quizzes and exams will assess content knowledge from readings and class discussions.

Research Proposal: Each student will prepare a formal research proposal related to your particular music education research interest. The format can be that found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).

A quantitative proposal should include the following sections:

Ch. 1: Introduction

(a) Statement of the Problem

(b) Purpose of the Study

(d) Delimitations and Definitions

Ch. 2: Review of Related Literature

Ch. 3: Method

(a) Subjects

(b) Measurement Instruments

(d) Data Analysis

A qualitative proposal should include the following sections:

Ch. 1: Introduction

(a) Statement of the Problem

(b) Purpose of the Study

(d) Delimitations and Definitions

Ch. 2: Review of Related Literature

Ch. 3: Method

(a) Assumptions and Rationale for a Qualitative Design

(b) The Type of Design Used

(d) Data Analysis Procedures

(e) Methods for Verification

Final Project: In addition to your proposal, you will carry out your research and write up your findings. This will be presented as Chapter 4 (Results) and Chapter 5 (Discussion). This can serve as a pilot for your thesis project. The final project will consist of the entire document (including chapters 1-5), a 150 word abstract and a Research poster: You will create a 30”H X 40”W poster and display/present your results. These will be presented to the class near the end of the semester just as you would present at a conference poster session.

Grading

Quizzes = 4%

Process Journal = 10%

Discussion Leading / Participation = 5%

Article Reviews = 16%

Proposal = 20%

Class Assignments = 10%

Final Project = 25%

Final exam = 10%

Grading Scale 

A+ (100); A (95); A- (91); 

B+ (88); B (85); B- (81);  

C+ (78); C (75); C- (71);

 D+ (68); D (65); D- (61);  F (<60)

Course Schedule

Week	Topic	Assignment Due	Reading Due
1: Jan 22	Course Overview, Projects, etc. The Nature of Educational Research Types of Research & Sources of Data Library Visit	Class Member Profile	KSU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs http://www.k-state.edu/research/
2: Jan 29	I. Orientation to Educational Research Planning a Research Project; Ethics; Selecting a Problem Examples: Chapter 1; Informed Consent	Research Ideas  KSU’s IRB Training http://www.k-state.edu/research/comply/irb/index.html	CM Ch.1- 2 A Research Agenda for Music Education http://www.menc.org/information/research/agenda.html
3: Feb 5	II. Skills for Conducting Research Reviewing the Literature; Developing Research Questions; The Research Proposal Example: Chapter 3 (qualitative)	Article Review #1 (hard copy)	CM Ch. 3-5
4: Feb 12	The Research Proposal: present introduction and discuss related lit and methodology	Project check #1 via email  (Ch. 1: Introduction)
5: Feb 19	Designing a Research Project Procedures and Tools for Gathering Data	Article Review #2 (hard copy)	CM Ch. 6-7
6: Feb 26	Analyzing Research Data Preparing a Research Report	Project check #2 via email (Ch. 3: Method, Informed Consent)	CM Ch. 8-9
7: Mar 5	Descriptive Research, Historical Research, Correlational Research	Article Review #3 (hard copy)	CM Ch. 12-13
8: Mar 12	Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Causal-Comparative Research	Project check #3 via email (Ch. 2: Lit. Review)	CM Ch. 14
9: Mar 26	Introduction to Qualitative Research	Article Review #4 (hard copy)	CM Ch. 10
10: Apr 2	Qualitative Research: Participant Observation, Constructing a Data Record, Interviewing Coding, Memos, Analysis, and Write-up	Complete Proposal via email (revised chapters 1, 2, & 3) + Project Check #4 (Chapter 4. data collection)
11: Apr 9	Action Research & Evaluation Research	Article Review #5 & #6 (hard copy)	CM Ch. 11
12: Apr 16	Statistical Analyses	Article Reviews #7 & #8 (hard copy)	Appendix A
13: Apr 23	Philosophical Research	Project check #5 via email (Chapter 5. analysis)	Appendix B
14: Apr 30	Final Exam
15: May 7	Presentation of Projects	FINAL PROJECT (hard copy and email)