Exploring Research in Music Education and Music Therapy

This practical text provides a comprehensive introduction to understanding research in music education and music therapy. Designed primarily for the introductory research course taken by upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, it is also useful for all interested undergraduates in both fields. In contrast with traditional "how to" textbooks, Exploring Research in Music Education and Music Therapy adopts a unique "how to read and comprehend" approach to music research. It helps students explore and understand articles in professional research journals, familiarizing them with the literature itself and with basic concepts, terms, and statistical symbols. The book opens with an overview of the research process and then offers in-depth coverage of a broad range of research genres: historical, philosophical, qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and action research. Integrating relevant real-world examples of each genre into the text, author Kenneth Phillips includes eighteen full-length research articles that are elucidated by his own detailed commentary. The text also demonstrates how research findings can be applied in classrooms or therapeutic situations, thereby serving as a bridge between knowledge and practice. Exploring Research in Music Education and Music Therapy is enhanced by study and discussion questions, suggested activities, and three appendices that contain resources for locating research articles in music education, music therapy, and the psychology of music. Grounded in the author's extensive research background and teaching experience, this exceptional text offers students, music teachers, and music therapists an accessible and engaging entree into the world of music research.