PERF 3009 Music Research Methods
Credit Points 10
Legacy Code 102429
Coordinator Jacob Leonard Opens in new window
Description This capstone musicology subject will consolidate approaches to research transferable to a variety of music careers and post-graduate study. Students will learn to critique various methods, considering their strengths, weaknesses and appropriateness to a self-devised research project. Delivered in a workshop format, each week students will consider a method or aspect thereof and develop skills in pursuing these towards their research outcome. Methods canvassed in the subject include practice-led research, where creative practice can be both the starting point and the research outcome; primary research (where the researcher gathers information from interviews, surveys and so on), music science (cognition and computation); ethics in research; identifying appropriate fields of research; and quantitative and qualitative methods.
School Humanities & Comm Arts
Discipline Music
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Check your fees via the Fees page.
Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject
Equivalent Subjects PERF 3017 - Music in Theory and Practice
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Design a research project, including the location of appropriate research field(s)
- Develop a proposal for a research project
- Retrieve and provide a literature review for a research project
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods: practice-led research, primary and secondary research, quantitative and qualitative method, music science (cognition and computation)
- Work in groups to refine research projects and methodologies
- Interpret the findings of a research project to produce cogent research outcomes
- Write a final paper reporting on the research undertaken
Subject Content
- Defining a research field
- Focusing a research project
- Practice-led research
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Primary and secondary research
- Music science (cognition and computation)
- Research and ethics
- Organising research into cogent findings and outputs
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
| Type | Length | Percent | Threshold | Individual/Group Task | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log/Workbook | n/a | 25 | N | Individual | N |
| Literature Review | 2,000 words | 35 | N | Individual | N |
| Portfolio | 2000 word essay or 1200 word exegesis plus creative output | 40 | N | Individual | N |
Prescribed Texts
- Bell, Judith, and Waters. Stephen, Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers. 6th ed. Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK: McGraw-Hill Education, 2014
Teaching Periods
Spring (2024)
Penrith (Kingswood)
On-site
Subject Contact Jacob Leonard Opens in new window
View timetable Opens in new window
Spring (2025)
Penrith (Kingswood)
On-site
Subject Contact Jacob Leonard Opens in new window