RESEARCH METHODS AND PREPARATORY STUDIES IN MUSIC MUS 392

Introductory lectures in research methods generally, as well as in the stress areas of musical
instrument technology, composition, Ethnomusicology, performance and music Education.
Research orientation. Guide to analysis and presentation of data; writing research treatise.
Critical issues in musical presentation. (1 unit)

Introductory lectures in research methods generally

Research entails a careful study of a particular phenomenon. Babbie stated that “research is a
systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon.”
Research methods are therefore processes, strategies or techniques that are used in collecting
data (evidences) for analysis which in turn provides new insights, better understanding or even
completely new information. There are different types of research methods and these use various
tools for collection of data. Data is the information you will use in answering research questions.
The research method used depends on the type of data that will be collected.
Primary data entails going to the field and collecting original data.
Secondary data involves using data that has already been collected by someone else. This
involves books, journals, etc
Descriptive research entails describing the data while experimental will need experiment to be
performed.

The Qualitative Research Method

Qualitative data takes the form of words. It accesses information regarding lived experiences,
emotions, behaviours and meanings that individuals attach to them. Qualitative analysis is used
to understand words, ideas, and experiences. It can be used to interpret data that was collected.
This method helps researchers to have better understanding of multifaceted and complicated
ideas, social interactions and cultural phenomena. QRM explores interprets and explains why
and how things happen. This relies on the researchers judgement therefore, there is a great need
to be objective in interpreting.

The Quantitative Research Method

Quantitative data takes the form of numbers (numerical). It collects numerical data that can be
ranked, quantified and classified using statistical analysis -frequencies, averages and
correlations. It discovers patterns of relationships and helps in generalizations. It is therefore
ideal for investigating how many, how much, how often and to what extent.
Mixed Methods Research
This combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. It is holistic as it combines
statistical data with contextualized insights. This method aids verification of data from
convergence of two or more other sources, that is triangulation.

Qualitative Techniques or Tools Quantitative Techniques or Tools

Interviews: these can be structured, semi- Surveys or questionnaires: which ask the same
structured or unstructured in-depth sessions with questions to large numbers of participants or
the researcher and a participant. use Likert scales which measure opinions as
Can be used for small numbers. numerical data.
Focus groups: with several participants Observation: which can either involve counting
discussing a particular topic or a set of questions. the number of times a specific phenomenon
Researchers can be facilitators or observers. occurs, or the coding of observational data in
order to translate it into numbers.
Observations: On-site, in-context or role-play Document screening: sourcing numerical data
options. from financial reports or counting word
occurrences.
Document analysis: Interrogation of Experiments: testing hypotheses in laboratories,
correspondence (letters, diaries, emails etc) or testing cause and effect relationships, through
reports. field experiments, or via quasi- or natural
experiments.
Oral history or life stories: Remembrances or
memories of experiences told to the researcher.

Research method Primary or Qualitative or When to use

secondary? quantitative?

Experiment Primary Quantitative To test cause-and-effect relationships.

Survey Primary Quantitative To understand general characteristics of a population.

Interview/focus Primary Qualitative To gain more in-depth understanding of a topic.

group

Observation Primary Either To understand how something occurs in its natural setting.

Literature review Secondary Either To situate your research in an existing body of work, or to evaluate
trends within a research topic.

Case study Either Either To gain an in-depth understanding of a specific group or context, o
when you don’t have the resources for a large study.
Stages of the Research Process
1. Select research area. Identify research problem that is genuinely interesting.
2. Formulate hypotheses: involves research aims, objectives and hypothesis.
3. Review relevant literature: this actually starts before formulation of hypotheses,
and continues after. It involves a lot of secondary data such as use of books,
journals, gazettes, newspaper, magazines, and online materials.
4. Select type of research design ie, method of data collection.
5. Collect and analyze data.
6. Reach conclusions.
7. Prepare and present research report.
Statement of the Problem
1. Contextualization of Problem.
SOP should give some background about the problem and should clearly address queries
such as:
a. What is the problem and why it requires attention?
b. Where and when does the problem arise?
c. What can happen if the problem is not addressed?
d. Is the problem of current interest?
e. Is the problem likely to continue in the future?
2. Relevance of Problem
The SOP should show relevance to the research by emphasizing that that problem is
researchable and feasible. The following should also be addressed:
a. Why is it important to specifically solve this problem?
b. Does the problem have wider relevance?
c. How will the specific problem add value to the society?
d. How will it benefit future researches?
The above will lead to the formulation of aims and specific objectives.
a. It will propose effective approaches for solving the problems.
b. Define the aims of research bearing in mind the actual ideal and proposed situation.

Research Aims
a. Specifies what the research intends to do.
b. Expresses what the research aspires to achieve when it comes to an end.
 c. It should be specific and stated in such a way as to identify when it has been achieved.
d. It is made up of a broad statement consisting of a sentence or a paragraph. Not numbered.
Research Objectives
a. Focuses on how aim is achieved.
b. Describes specific steps undertaken in order to achieve research aim.
c. Focuses on immediate short-term goals of the research.
d. Explains what, why, who, when and how.
e. It usually between 4 and 5 and are not numbered.
f. Research aim and objectives should be in line with SMART. Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic, Time constrained.
Research Question
This should be addressed by research aims and objectives. Each question is answered by the
research objective.
Significance
This section provides the following answers:
a. What is the contribution of this research? Is it a new initiative or a continuation of an
older one?
b. Who benefits, how, why?
Literature Review

Answer the following questions:

1. What has been done in this topic area to date?

What are the significant discoveries, key concepts, arguments, and/or theories that
scholars have put forward? What are the important works?
2. On which particular areas of the topic has previous research concentrated? Have there
been developments over time? What methodologies have been used?
3. Are there any gaps in the research? Are there areas that have not been looked at closely
yet, but which should be? Are there new ways of looking at the topic?
4. Are there improved methodologies for researching this subject?
5. What future directions should research in this subject take?
6. How will your research build on or depart from current and previous research on the
topic? What contribution will your research make to the field?
Method of Study
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Area of Study
3.3. Study Design – a plan of how to answer research question. Entails how
data is collected and analyzed.
2.4. Sources of Data
2.4.1. Primary Sources
2.4.2. Secondary Sources
2.5. Population of the Study
2.6. Sample Size
2.7. Sampling Technique
2.8. Instrument for Data Collection
2.9. Analysis of Data

Some sample questions

1. What’s the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods?

2. What is mixed-methods research?
3. What is research sampling?
4. How do I decide which research methods to use?
5. What is a study design?
6. With the aid of a table show the difference between qualitative and quantitative research.
7. Discuss the following: a. research aims b. research objectives.
8. What is the relationship between research question and research aim?
9. Explain any 8 components of the research section ‘method of research’.
10. Critically discuss the following research tools:
a. Interview
b. Focus group discussion
c. Questionnaire
11. A qualitative research design will best suit the study of melodic idioms of Ogene music
in Ukpo town. True or False. Give the reasons for your answer.
12. What questions should be asked when writing a literature review?
13. Discuss any three aspects of the method of study.
14. What are the most important points in addressing the significance of the study?