CTMU 7970:  Special Topics – Qualitative Research in Music Education

SYLLABUS

Spring Semester, 2010

 

Instructor: Nancy H. Barry, Ph.D.

5040 Haley Center

Phone:  334-844-4434

barrynh@auburn.edu

Required Text:

Silverman, David (2005).  Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook (2nd ed.).  London: Sage.  ISBN 1-4129-0197-9

Additional Readings will be available through Library Reserves and on-line links

Prerequisites:   Departmental approval

Course Description:

CTMU 7970 provides the student with an opportunity to apply foundations, methods, and applications of qualitative research in music education through critical review of published research and by completing a small-scale formal research project.

Course Objectives:

The student will be able to. . .

·         complete a human subjects research IRB Protocol form  (http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/ohs/protocol.htm)

·         describe and apply different methodologies for qualitative research

·         define specific research topics in music education

·         describe and critique examples of qualitative research from the published literature

·         develop and conduct a qualitative research project on a topic relevant to music education

·         write an article-length research paper in APA format

Course Requirements:

·         active participation in class discussions and activities (10%)

·         two typed Summaries & Critiques of published qualitative research studies (20%)

·         completed IRB application form (10%)

·         two tests over readings and class notes (20%)

·         mature draft of article-length research paper in APA format (10%)

·         final project: article-length paper describing “mini” qualitative research study in APA format (30%)

 

Each student will develop and carry out a small-scale qualitative research project and prepare an article-length research paper in APA format. 

See Beginning music teachers’ perceptions of the transition from university to teaching in schools (2005), Our New Children, and Micropolitical Behavior of  Second Graders for examples of qualitative research reports.

Grading System:

A = 100 – 91

B = 90 – 81

C = 80 – 71

D = 70 – 61

 

It is the policy of Auburn University and of this instructor to accommodate special needs.

Please inform the instructor immediately if you require special accommodation.


CTMU 7970:  Qualitative Research in Music Education

Spring 2010 COURSE CALENDAR

DATE

ASSIGNMENT/ACTIVITY

January 14

Introduction to qualitative research/ Foundations of qualitative research

 

ü  The Blind Men and the Elephant (Implications for Qualitative Inquiry)

ü  Terms to Define and Discuss

ü  Read Bogdan and Biklen Chapter I

January 21

ü  Read Silverman Chapters 1-2 Understanding the Qualitative Approach

ü  Read Roulston, K,. Legette, R., & Trotman Womack, S. (2005).

Beginning music teachers’ perceptions of the transition from university to teaching in schools.  Music Education Research, 7(1) 59-82. 

[Full-text article available from ERIC database, EBSCOhost]

January 26

(Tuesday)

Research Ethics – Human Subjects Research

ü  Read Roulston, K. (2006).  Mapping the possibilities of qualitative research in music education: a primer.  Music Education Research, 8(2), 153-173.

ü  Read Chapters 3-4-5 The Research Experience

February 4

ü  Read Chapters 6-7 Developing an Appropriate Qualitative Research Topic

ü  Research Summary & Critique 1 due (10%)

February 11

ü  Read Chapters 8-9-10 Developing the Research Proposal

February 18

ü  Read Chapters 11-12 Collecting and Analyzing Data

ü  Read Haywood, J. (2006).  You can’t be in my choir if you can’t stand up:  one journey toward inclusion.  Music Education Research, 8(3), 407-416. (case study)

February 25

ü  Read Chapter 13 CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis

Software)

ü  Atlas.ti (ATLAS.ti - The Knowledge Workbench: Free Trial Version)

ü  QSR International http://www.qsrinternational.com/products_free-trial-software.aspx

ü  HyperResearch (Free Limited Edition)

ü  IRB Protocol Form due (10%) OVPR - Human Subjects Research

March 4

ü  Test 1 (class notes and assigned readings) 10%

March 11

ü  Read Chapters 14-15 Evaluating Qualitative Research

ü  Read Pitts, S.E. (2004). Lessons in learning: Learning, teaching and motivation at a music summer school. Music Education Research, 6(1) 81-95 7(1) 81-95. 

[Full-text article available from ERIC database, EBSCOhost]

March 18

SPRING BREAK

March 25

ü  Read Chapters 16-17 Keeping an audit trail/ Maintaining productive relationships with participants in the field

ü  Read Our New Children (in-depth interview example)

April 1

ü  Read Chapters 18-19 Working with your Research Supervisor

April 8

ü  Research Summary & Critique 2 due (10%)

April 15

ü  Read Chapters 20-21-22-23-24 The Written Research Report

April 22

ü  Read Chapters 25-26-27-28-29 Final Considerations:  Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Publication

April 29

ü  FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT DRAFT DUE (typed article-length paper) (10%)

May 6

ü  Test 2 (class notes and assigned readings) (10%) 

May 11

ü  FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT DUE (typed article-length paper) (30%)

 

Commencement, May 14, 2010

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