M3 Research Design Critique Report

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Michael Barrett

M3 Research Design Critique Report

Scenario 1: More hours worked results in a higher paycheck.
Scenario 2: Level of self worth of employed people vs unemployed people.
Scenario 1 describes a correlational design in that it is and example where a is the directly
effects b. When an employee works more hours than their paycheck increases likewise if an
employee works less hours their paycheck would decrease. Scenario 2 describes a causal
comparative. The level of self worth is the dependent where as the independent is employed
people vs unemployed. The similarities that exist between the two are they both compare
something however the causal comparative design researches the cause.
To be sure that a quality design is created there have to be rules involved. Avoid unclear,
confusing or vague words. Combining two questions into one. Make sure they are not wordy or
lengthy. Also avoid negatives and jargon. Some other ways to increase participant response are
pilot test, cover letter, pre-notifications and follow up letters.

The Link Between Musical Achievement and Academic Achievement of Young Children
The article I read is a study of music and whether there is a link between students who are
involved in music and academic success. The authors wanted to know if music education helped
develop students minds and increase intelligence in core subject areas, such as math and
language, etc. They also wanted to find out what other types of skills developed while learning
music.
Summation of Research Literature
School educators have speculated as to whether music actually has an effect on students.
Many studies have taken place over the years in the realm. Some studies have shown that some
teachers prefer music to be an extra activity such as a fun activity. Obviously music educators
feel the opposite. Music teachers feel that music should be intertwined with lessons. Music
should also be used to allow students to tap into talents and abilities.

Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data

Student information was collected throughout the country and almost a quarter of them
were involved with some sort of music program. The students were then sorted by achievements,
such as school or community distinctions. Then the data was sorted and presented for review

Results and Conclusions

The results of this study found that these students were more successful than the rest of
their peers who were not in a music class. Music education in school helps promote high level
thinking and when included in schools show that students are more successful.

Absence of Widespread Psychosocial and Cognitive Effects of School Based Music

Instruction
Purpose of Study
This study was chosen to find out the effects of music training on 10 to 13 year old
students. Because we have already learned the effects music has on cognitive ability, this study
seeks to find out how much the increase is by including more music training classes. Two
separates studies were done.
Summation of Research Literature
Study number 1 seeks to answer the question by increasing music learning within
classroom music classes such as theory, music history etc. within a secondary school. The second
looks to find out what happens when a new music program and new drama program are
introduced to elementary aged students. This study was conducted over the course of six months
and students were assessed at the beginning and end.

Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data

Theory I
This theory was conducted on a group of secondary boys. They were all asked to fill our
information based on their amount of music knowledge training, as well as what they like to do.
They also were given several intelligence tests. These test were given at the beginning and the
end of the program.
Theory II
This theory used fifth and sixth grades students in and elementary setting. Each student
filled out information as well but kept it to basic info such as age and gender for the beginning
stages. Final assessment papers asked how the students enjoyed the two new classes. This theory
was conducted over a five month period.
Results and Conclusions
Theory I
This theory failed to show any signs of improvement or and increase in IQ scores for the
drama class but did however increase in the students in the music class. Meaning music actually
did have an effect on this age students scores.
Theory II
This theory showed an increase in math scores for these students but not an increase in
reading scores. This could be due to the fact that math tends to require more higher thought
processes than reading.

References
Costley, K. C. (2011). The Link between Musical Achievement and Academic
Achievement of Young Children. Online Submission,
Rickard, N. S., Bambrick, C. J., & Gill, A. (2012). Absence of Widespread
Psychosocial and Cognitive Effects of School-Based Music Instruction in 10-13-Year-Old
Students. International Journal Of Music Education, 30(1), 57-78.

M4 Research Design Critique Report

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Michael Barrett

M4 Research Design Critique Report

The scenario I would use is one that I have actually created before. In music classes we
have taken two groups of students and game them each an ensemble. The students were picked
on their degree of music knowledge. One group is made up high school seniors who are choir
veterens and have been involved in the choir since 6th grade. The second group is made up of
high school juniors and seniors who are in their first year of choir. The experienced ensemble
was offered very little teacher assistance in the learning of their music. They were only allowed
to use the teacher for accompaniment. The second group was offered extensive teacher help in
the learning of their music. The question asked is can a group of experienced singers learn to
perform a piece just as well as a teacher led group. The reason for the question is whether
students can be used to help teachers educate fellow choir members. Each group was given the
music to sightread to make sure both of them were in the same place with the music. The
outcome showed that the experienced group was able to learn the music just as well as a teacher
led group. These students were also made section leaders for this reason.
I think the pretest posttest best describes the experimental design used in this scenario.
The music was given to each group at the beginning of the experiment, then both groups
performed again at the end of the experiment to find out if they were still both in the same place.

The three forms of mixed-methods designs start with Triangulation. In this design
researchers use quantitative and qualitative data, which have to be collected in one visit to the
field. Explanatory Design only uses quantitative data and unlike Triangulation researchers are
allowed a second trip to the field to collect data. The resources are also limited they have to
collect one at a time, whereas in Triangulation offers the ability to analyze large amounts of date
individually or as a team. Lastly, Exploratory Designs are exclusively qualitative in nature and
like Explanatory, there is no known instruments or variables. Its conducted in two phases like
Triangulation but has limited resources just like exploratory.
Action research differs from formal in several ways. The goals of formal research are
general where as action research is applied to a situation. Identifying the problems is different as
well. Formal is a review of previous material and action is current problems being faced. Formal
is also rigorous with a long time frame and action everything is looser, and the time frame is very
short. Researchers would choose actions research for current issues in the world. They would use
it because it is not something that needs to be dwelled on but has to have a quicker decision.

Teachers' views of the primary-secondary transition in music education in England

This study seeks to find how music teachers feel about the transition process of going
from elementary to middle school music classes. The mains goal of this was find out if the
National Curriculum of England increase of music classes were being instituted and well as
teachers accepting what the article and NCE called the common language for music education.
Three questions were asked during this process
Summation of Research Literature
According to the article, most studies usually are about the students and their burdens
with new curricula. Because there was a plethora of research of students, it was felt that teachers
needed to have their say. This study was conducted to find out what their opinions on music
curriculum changes are.
Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data
In the article it is stated that this study was part of a much larger project. At the beginning
the researchers had students fill out questionaires and music teachers were each interviewed for
the first steps. Next, about half way through the study, small groups of students and individual
teachers were interview again. The final step was an interview with students and teachers after a
years time.

Results and Conclusions

The results of this study show that the NCE were not successful in implementing their common
language in to English schools. Students were ill prepared when moving to the next step of
music education. The authors found that if more was put into making the music activities
exciting that it would be more successful.

A Study of the Periodization of the History of Korean and Japanese Music

Purpose of Study
In this study, researchers are attempting to divide music histories for Korea and Japan
into definitive periods. Researchers had to find out how over the course of time music in the two
countries existed and what types of people were involved with music.
Summation of Research Literature
The goal of this study was to find out if music of Korea and Japan could be cataloged into
a certain time period. This was determined through the historical changes of the time, such as
social classes. The researchers hoped for an outcome that showed a basic timeline of the history
of these two countries music.
Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data
Musical styles were the focus for each division of the timeline. Next any changes in styles had to
be sorted to show where the beginning of that style started. Lastly a focus on how mainstream
music was in that period had to be determined. For example, in the beginning music was saved
for the rich and as classes changed and middle classes increased music was more available to
more people.
Results and Conclusions
This study focused on putting Korean and Japanese music into specific historical time
periods. The steps described in this article have actually never been done. The reason for this is

because of the way each country views their particular music history and it is very much
different than the other.
References
Marshall, N. A., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2008). Teachers' views of the primary-secondary transition
in music education in England. Music Education Research, 10(1), 63-74.
Chun In. P. (2009), A Study of the Periodization of the History of Korean and Japanese Music.
Acta Koreana, 12(2), 79-126.

M5 Research Design Critique Report

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Michael Barrett

M5 Research Design Critique Report

Narrative design is one in which focuses on studying a single person and gathering data
through the collection of stories that are used to construct a narrative about the individuals
experience and the meanings they attributes to them. An example of a narrative design is the
study of the experiences of an autistic student who has moved from self-contained program to an
inclusion setting.
Ethnographic research develops in-depth analytical description of current systems,
processes, and phenomena and understandings of the shared beliefs and practices of a particular
group or culture. One example is a study of primate behavior in the wild measuring the amount
of time an animal engaged in a specific behavior.
A case study is a detailed examination of a single group, individual, situation, or site. An
example would be a multi-case study of children of drug addicts who excel despite early
childhoods in poor environments. A case study is also and type of ethnographic research design.

First Article Summary

Podcast are very useful tools for music education. They can be used to extend lessons
outside of the classroom. Creating them is also a great way for students to learn. The study in this
article uses a sixth grade class for its research and focusing on the use of podcast for teaching.
Summation of Research Literature
Over the years music portability has become more and more prevalent. Portable radios,
followed by tape players, cd players, and now portable media such as iPods. Mix in the use of
internet and a whole new application came about. Because of Web 2.0, online collaboration is
now made easier. The researchers in this article wanted to find out how the use of podcast would
affect lessons in music education as well as giving students the opportunity to create.
Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data
Twenty sixth grade students were selected from a music class. The class that was chosen
was one of the researchers classes. This school was also chosen because the tools needed to do
the research were readily available. The class was split between girls and boys. The students
were given a questionnaire to find out their what level of information they knew about podcast. A
daily journal of information was kept that showed the students participation, notes, reactions and
interest. When the experiment was complete a final questionnaire was given to judge students
thoughts on how useful podcast could be. The questionnaire had four questions, participation,
proposed activities, podcast use in music class, and final assessment of the project.

Results and Conclusions

The final result of this study showed that this tool had great potential for music
education, mostly in the realm of audio recognition. Because music is an audible and sometimes
visual field the podcast can be a great way to help teachers and students learn new things in their
subject.
Second Article Summary
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study is to find out how students judge their learning in music theory,
which is the study of how music is created. The research had two goals; to create the measuring
instrument what motivates students to learn music theory as well as to examine the connection
between self-regulated and teacher intiated.
Summation of Research Literature
When students have the opportunity to choose their goals they are generally more
successful. Music theory can be a very hard subject to grasp. The researchers wondered if
students had the chance to take their learning in the own hands whether they would be more
successful than when the teacher created the timeline.
Method for Collecting and Analyzing Data

Four hundred and fifty seven sixth graders were chosen from ten elementary schools in
Slovenia. Two different questionnaires were created to find how much cognitive and affective
processes took place in music theory learning. A final revised questionnaire was given in the
classroom.
Results and Conclusions
In the end it was found that there was a connection between the two. Students who found
the learning useful use more cognitive strategies to figure out music theory. Self-motivating only
worked with the students who had a vested interest in the subject. For those that did not, it didnt
matter either way. Students needed to enjoy the subject which some didnt.

References
COUTINHO, C., & MOTA, P. (2011). Web 2.0 Technologies in Music Education in
Portugal: Using Podcasts for Learning. Computers In The Schools, 28(1), 56-74.
Smolej Fritz, B., & Peklaj, C. (2011). Processes of self-regulated learning in music theory
in elementary music schools in Slovenia. International Journal Of Music Education, 29(1), 15.