A CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION. FINAL REPORT.

Overview & Synopsis

A CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION SPONSORED BY THE USOE AND THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY WAS HELD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, FEBRUARY 26 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1967. THE CONFERENCE WAS DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION. THE PROBLEMS DISCUSSED INCLUDED THE NATURE OF RESEARCH PECULIAR TO MUSIC EDUCATION, AS DIFFERENTIATED FROM OTHER FIELDS OF RESEARCH, SUCH AS MUSIC HISTORY, MUSIC THEORY, MUSIC PERFORMANCE, EDUCATION, PSYCHOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY. PRIORITY AREAS FOR RESEARCH WERE IDENTIFIED, MOST OF THEM BEING UNINVESTIGATED BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS. THE NEED TO REDESIGN GRADUATE EDUCATION IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A VARIETY OF VERSATILE RESEARCHERS WHO CAN IDENTIFY AND EXAMINE CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS IN MUSIC EDUCATION WAS AGREED UPON. THE ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS FOR FACILITATING RESEARCH WERE DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE. METHODS FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESEARCH WERE DISCUSSED AND SUGGESTIONS PROJECTED. THESE DELIBERATIONS WERE INCLUDED IN FIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS UNDER THE GENERAL HEADING "PROJECTIONS FOR CHANGE IN RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION." THE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED SEVENTEEN MUSIC EDUCATORS WHO WERE SELECTED ON SEVERAL BASES--(1) RECOGNIZED RESEARCHERS IN MUSIC EDUCATION, (2) MEMBERS OF THE MUSIC EDUCATORS RESEARCH COUNCIL, AND (3) INDIVIDUALS IMPORTANT TO MUSIC EDUCATION RESEARCH. CONSULTANTS FROM VARIOUS MUSIC AND NONMUSIC AREAS OF ENDEAVOR PROVIDED PAPERS AND ASSISTANCE. (AUTHOR)