Postgraduate Course: MMus Research Methods A (MUSI11015)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will introduce students to a range of methodologies used in musical research, with an emphasis on critical reflection concerning the suitability and limitations of possible approaches. |
| Course description |
This course introduces students to a range of methodologies used in musical research. The emphasis is placed on students developing critical reflection concerning the suitability and limitations of any approach they adopt. Topics include general guidance on approaching a research project (formulating research questions, constructing a bibliography), research ethics, ethnographic and qualitative/quantitative approaches, and analytical and archival research. A variety of resources will be used which may include the University's Centre for Research Collections, the National Library of Scotland and/or the National Archive of Scotland.
10 x 2-hour seminars (sometimes including field trips) fuse with and support 4 tasks that offer formative assessment. The latter typically include bibliographic, archival, and analytical projects. Students will present their work for these tasks in class to their peers and the class convenor.
Engagement with the series of research seminars organised by Music is strongly encouraged.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | n/a |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
175 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
This course has 2 components of assessment:
2 x 3,000-word assignments, each weighted at 50% of the final mark, submitted in/around weeks 7 and 12 of the course respectively.
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| Feedback |
Formative Feedback:
Verbal feedback is given in class on the informal presentations of 4 formative tasks. These typically involve small bibliographic, analytical, and archival projects.
Both summative assignments build on work undertaken in formative tasks.
Summative Feedback:
Written feedback on the summative tasks will be given in line with current university regulations.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of research methodologies appropriate to the study of music.
- Select appropriate research methodologies for a range of research tasks.
- Reflect critically on the research methodologies introduced.
- Reflect critically on your own use of particular research methodologies in the tasks undertaken as part of the course.
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Reading List
David Beard and Kenneth Gloag, Musicology: The Key Concepts (Routledge: Abingdon, 2016)
Laurie J. Sampsel, Music Research: A Handbook (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2009).
Aaron Williamon, Jane Ginsborg, Rosie Perkins, and George Waddell, Performing Music Research: Methods In Music Education, Psychology and Performance Science (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2021)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Enquiry and lifelong learning: the course will equip students to approach a number of different research methods for music, as well as introducing a number of different genres and styles
Outlook and engagement: the course will embed critical perspectives on musical research
Research and enquiry: the course will require students to engage critically with a wide range of research methodologies
Personal and intellectual autonomy: students will learn how to apply research methods to their own musical interests, in a critical manner
Communication: Ability to produce essays and presentations to a professional level and to communicate with peers in informal class discussion.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Neil Smith
Tel:
Email: nsmith16@Exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Laura Duff
Tel:
Email: lduff4@ed.ac.uk |
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