Course coordinator
Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Music School
This course provides a guided introduction to the skills & methods in music. On successful completion of the course students will demonstrate: knowledge of the principles and practices of the major paradigms in which music researchers work including epistemological and ontological issues; knowledge of a range of research designs, methods, and techniques; a capacity to critique and evaluate research designs and the outcomes of research, a capacity to identify ethical considerations in research, and a capacity to design a research project.
In this course students interrogate the theory and practice of research methods relevant to applied music settings.ﾠStudents will be encouraged toﾠexamineﾠtheir beliefs and practices concerning: their positioningﾠas researchers in the music professions; the function and use of a range of research methods in applied music settings; and the personal, professional, political, and ethical dimensions of research in the applied music professions.ﾠﾠThroughﾠthe courseﾠstudents examine and evaluate aﾠrangeﾠofﾠresearchﾠtheory, design and implementation issues and undertakeﾠa range ofﾠpracticalﾠtasksﾠtoﾠequipﾠthemﾠwith skills and understandings to undertake research in the music professions. On successful completion ofﾠtheﾠcourse,ﾠstudents will demonstrate the ability to describe the principles of research design, critique research reports on methodological issues, and make decisions about research design.
This course has been developed with consideration of Indigenising the curriculum.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Prerequisites for entry into Honours program in relevant majorﾠor permission of Head of School.
Restrictions
Enrolment in either the Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Music (Hons), or Master of Music
Course contact
Lecturer
Miss Sarah Maher
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne
Associate Professor Denis Collins
Professor Liam Viney
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to the skills and methods of research in different subdisciplines of music, including music education, musicology andﾠmusic performance research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Engage critically with different types of academic writing about music.
LO2.
Demonstrate competence in referencing, citation and general academic writing skills.
LO3.
Conduct literature searches and reviews.
LO4.
Identify and determine music research questions.
LO5.
Design a music-related research project.
LO6.
Identify the salient differences between research approaches and designs
LO7.
Articulate criteria for research designs.
LO8.
Identify a range of ethical concerns involved in research.
LO9.
Create connected research questions, methodologies, and methods.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique | Literature mapping and critique | 30% |
4/04/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Research Proposal | 30% |
29/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Examination |
Oral Exam
|
40% |
Oral exams will take place during the exam period. Please see Blackboard for a schedule later in the semester. |
Assessment details
Literature mapping and critique
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
4/04/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
This assessment item is in 2 parts:
Part 1
Based on their chosen research topic area, students will create a planning map for their literature review using a mapping tool (E.g. MindMup, Inspiration, CMap). This task allows students to demonstrate an understanding of the literature that will frame the literature review of their major assessment item (Research Proposal). Links to each student's individual map must be embedded in a word document and uploaded via turn-it-in. Students must integrate the ideas from at least 10 peer-refereed articles on their topic.
Literature maps should clearly set out:
1) overall topic for each paragraph/section
2) additional notes for each section outlining:
- Specific inclusions for the paragraph including key arguments, definitions for key terms/concepts, a summation of key literature or ideas from literature to be discussed, attention to major gaps in the literature, link back to main research focus/interest
3) All of the above inclusions should include supporting references - please embed these throughout notes as in-text citations
Part 2
Students shall select one key scholarly article used in the above literature map and write a short review of the article. The paper will: identify 1. the problem statement; 2. the research question; and 3. the conclusions of the research. Crucially, the paper will (4) describe and critically evaluate the research methodology including a description and examination of the research method used (including theoretical position), participant pool, selection criteria, data collection methods, data analysis, and ethical considerations addressed. The assignment should demonstrate an ability to highlight the strengths and limitations of methodological choices made in the selected article and include supporting references from research methodology texts (such as the set texts). The paper should be approx. 1,000 words in length.
Please note: any ideas which come from other work must be appropriately referenced.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools. If requested, you must be able to provide time-stamped drafts of your work in English that demonstrate your progression throughout your drafts.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension requests must be received on or before the due date. No extensions will be grated afterwards.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Research Proposal
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
29/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09
Task description
Prepare a research proposal (2,800 words) on a topic of professional, artistic or scholarly interest. In preparing this assessment piece, students should choose a proposal template as outlined in the required text (Leavy, 2017) specific to their chosen methodological framework and research design.
Generally, proposals will include (using domain-specific terms):
Title
Abstract
Keywords
Introduction to the topic under investigation, including a statement about the significance, value or worth of such a project
Literature review, identifying the problems, gaps or issues in the field concluding with the Intent of the project (research questions, hypotheses, inquiries)
Design/Methodology
Contextualisation (what is the proposed field, purpose, audience?);
Method/s (what will be the process of investigation, of reflection, employing an appropriate method?);
Documentation and data (how will the method/s, processes or outcomes be documented? Who are the participants?);
Data analysis and interpretation (what will you do with the documentation and data? How will you address your intent/research questions?)
Dissemination (how will the research or new practice be shared?)
Ethics statement/considerations
References
Appendices
Students should refer to the marking criteria to ensure that they have fulfilled the requirements of this task.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools. If requested, you must be able to provide time-stamped drafts of your work in English that demonstrate your progression throughout your drafts.
Submission guidelines
Submit your script via TurnItIn
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension requests must be received on or before the due date. No extensions will be granted afterwards.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Extension requests must be received on or before the due date. No extensions will be granted afterwards.
Oral Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
Oral exams will take place during the exam period. Please see Blackboard for a schedule later in the semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09
Task description
This exam is the culmination of all the learning in this course, and requires that students demonstrate their achievement of the course aims, in discussing their proposal for research to be undertaken in the future. Students will demonstrate their achievement of the criteria in this assessment through a video-recorded face-to-face oral exam (15 minutes long). Students will be expected to answer questions about all aspects of their research proposal, and about research methods more generally.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferral requests must be submitted on time in order to be considered.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Marks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Failsﾠto satisfy all of the basic requirements: submissions that lack appropriate references, relevance, coherence, organisation and length. |
| 2 (Fail) | 2 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Failsﾠto satisfy most of the basic requirements. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 3 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Failsﾠto satisfy some of the basic requirements: submissions that lack appropriate references and relevance, or appropriate coherence, organisation and length. |
| 4 (Pass) | 4 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic requirements: some use of fundamental concepts, some use of references, basically keeping to the topic; some elaboration of ideas and arguments, some degree of coherence and organisation and appropriate length; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable with respect to explainingﾠthe significance and implications of the topic. |
| 5 (Credit) | 5 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts of the topics, going beyond mere replication of ideas from source materials to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, analysis of implications and drawing of conclusions. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 6 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding and subtler aspects of the topics, such as identifying and debating critical issues or problems, applying ideas to practical situations, and offering insightful commentary, implications and conclusions. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 7 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting or surprising or exciting or challenging or erudite. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Determining final grades:ﾠThe final grades are determined by consideration of the weighting of individual assessment items, through the use of weighting formula and the profile of individual grades across accumulated assessment tasks.
All three assignments in the course will be provided a grade out of 7. The final grade will be calculated using the weighting and the individual assignment grades as follows.
Example:ﾠA student receives the following three grades
Assignment 1 (A1): grade of 6 at 10% weighting
Assignment 2 (A2): grade of 5 at 40% weighting
Assignment 3 (A3): grade of 6 at 50% weighting
The final grade for this student taking into account the weighting of each assignment would be:
(A1) + (A2) + (A3)
(0.1 x 6) + (0.4 x 5) + (0.5 x 6) = 0.6 + 2 + 3 =ﾠ5.6
The final grade would be rounded up to the nearest whole number; in this case the grade would beﾠ6.
In the case where the final grade is 0.5 or above, the grade will be rounded up to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.5 would become 6). In the case where the final grade is 0.49 or below, the grade will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.49 would become 5)
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Release of assessment item marks and feedback
In addition to the grade awarded, feedback will be provided in a timely manner to enable students to apply the feedback to further tasks within the course or program and/or plan for supplementary assessment, requests for re-mark, or re-enrolment. However, as per UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Procedure, results for the final assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. Time frames for applications for assessment re-mark are indicated under the Assessment Procedure.
Re-mark policy
After each assessable item, students will be given the opportunity to view their assessment and so satisfy themselves that a marking or administrative error has not occurred. The formal process of querying a course result (requesting a remark on academic grounds) is set out in the UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Procedure.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Class notes and links to readings not included on this list will be made available on the Blackboard site for this course in the Learning Resources Folder. It should be noted that the recommended texts are just that and may not be required throughout the course.
Please note that the e-book of the Creswell text: Creswell, John W, & Creswell, J. David. (2018).ﾠResearch design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approachesﾠ(Fifth edition). Sage, is only available to purchase online. This is because there are no online copies available to borrow. You may purchase the e-book or hard copy if you wish.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series Lecture Topics will include:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
Additional learning activity information
Please note that the scheduled lecture day, duration and location varies depending on the week. Check your timetable carefully.
No lectures are scheduled during the School of Music Project Week.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
- School of Music site