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New York University
Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Fall, 2011
Music Reference & Research MPAME-GE.2021
Dr. David Elliott: david.elliott@nyu.edu
Course Description
This course is an introduction to (i) music and music education research methodologies
and (ii) music reference sources. Emphasis is on utilizing methodologies and resources
toward creating research papers and (as needed) topic proposals for MA theses and PhD
dissertations.
Course Goals
1. Students will develop the skills required to produce a 15-page research paper on a topic
of their choice, which must be supported by proper methodology and bibliography.
Depending on time, each student will present an oral summary of his/her paper at the end
of the semester.
2. Students will understand how to use a style guide to organize their writing and
systematically cite references.
3. Students will understand how to use the resources of the library.
Recommended: Consult APA and Chicago Manuals, or examine:
APA Style Guide: http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/
Chicago Manual: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
Weekly Course Readings: All weekly reading assignments are in the Course
Documents Folder on the NYU Blackboard site.
Evaluation:
1. Weekly papers on assigned articles (see attached instructions): 35%
2. *Active Participation in Weekly Class Discussions (see below): 35%
3. Final Research Paper. Minimum 3000 words: 30%
Due on Friday, Dec. 16 at noon, by email.
* Active Participation in Weekly Class Discussions means that you (a) contribute
regularly to discussions of assigned readings based on your careful study of these
readings; and (b) that you are prepared for any “pop quiz” I may give in class.
4. Doctoral students will be required to do an in-class presentation in addition to the
above (as part of their class participation grade).
COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.
1. The Nature of Research: Why, What, and How?
2. Research methods Selected from: Descriptive, Ethnographic, Case Study,
Philosophical, Historical, Aesthetic, and other Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
3. Using the Library and Style Guides--APA
4. Choosing Your Topic
5. Style and Mechanics
6. Using the Library’s databases for research
7. Assembling a Bibliography