Research Approaches & Processes - MUS00097M
Module summary
Music producers and sound engineers work at the intersection of creative practice, technology, and industry infrastructure,mediating between artists, institutions, and the constraints of aesthetics and audiences. This module develops the skills and critical awareness needed to navigate that complexity: to draw on diverse bodies of knowledge and bring them to bear effectively on project challenges in music and sound production. It will providethe foundation for your Research Project, guiding you through the early stages of developing the proposal that will underpin your summer semester research.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2026-27 |
Module aims
In this module, you will be introduced to the process of developing research questions and objectives grounded in engagement with existing academic literature. You will explore qualitative, quantitative, and practice-based approaches to investigating problems, testing hypotheses, and contributing to knowledge within specific cultural and disciplinary contexts. Ethical principles and review processes essential to research involving human participants and non-academic communities will also be addressed.
Empirical methods of data collection and analysis will be detailed, including questionnaire and survey design, semi-directed interviews, focus groups, ethnographic approaches, and listening tests. You will develop an independent research proposal informed by this methodological grounding, culminating in a proposal, literature review and research plan, alongside a formal presentation of your proposed research to peers in a symposium. This proposal will be the basis of your Research Project in the summer semester.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module you will be able to:
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draw upon previous academic studies to develop research questions and objectives
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recognise the role and value of theoretical frameworks to conduct research projects in music and sound production
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design an empirical procedure to assess recording technologies, techniques, and creative processes
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present a research proposal to peers in an academic context
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identify ethical requirements to carry out research with human participants
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80.0 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
There are two components to the assessment:
Literature review and project plan (80%): Students will submit an individual written literature review and research proposal. This will include a tentative title and main research objectives, a critical engagement with relevant academic sources to establish a theoretical framework, a detailed research plan with proposed methods and/or practice-based approaches, and consideration of whether ethics review approval is required.
Presentation (20%): Students will deliver a live presentation of their proposed research to peers. This will demonstrate the student's critical thinking and their ability to communicate research intentions, methodological choices, and relevant academic context to an audience ofpeers and academics.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80.0 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20.0 |
Module feedback
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
Indicative reading
De Assis, P., & D'Errico, L. (Eds.). (2019). Artistic Research: Charting a Field in Expansion. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
D'Errico, M. (2021). Push: Software design and the cultural politics of music production. Oxford University Press.
Hunt, A. (2016). Managing your project : achieving success with minimal stress. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.