Research Proposal Memo

Date: 2/3/19
To: Professor Guenzel
From: Tabitha Becklund
Subject: Research Proposal ... Communication in Music Neuroscience and Music Therapy
Topic description:
Communication in music neuroscience and music therapy is the dialogue between the two
areas of research working together to help a greater cause: making advancements in
technology beneficial to those who have experienced traumatic injuries or have
neurodegenerative conditions. The research questions that are currently up for debate are the
ways in which music is able to help people and the positive reactions that it causes.
Documentation Style: MLA format
Tentative List of References:

 Molly Gebrian (contact) Violist and Neuroscience major- mgebrain@yahoo.com

 The Neurosciences in Music (book) Author: Giuliano Avanzini
 “Dialogues in Music Therapy and Music Neuroscience: Collaborative Understanding Driving
Clinical Advances.” Frontiers, Frontiers, www.frontiersin.org/research-
topics/3336/dialogues-in-music-therapy-and-music-neuroscience-collaborative-
understanding-driving-clinical-advan (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
 “Exploring the Mechanisms of Music Therapy.” Recent Articles | Air Pollution | The Scientist
Magazine®, The Scientist Magazine, www.the-scientist.com/features/exploring-the-
mechanisms-of-music-therapy-31936 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
 “Music and the Brain Research Network.”
Musictherapy.org, www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/Music_and_The_Brain_Research_Ne
twork_3_24_27.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
 “Music and the Brain.” Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center,
tdlc.ucsd.edu/research/highlights/rh-music-and-brain-2011.html.
Purpose:
My major is biology and my minor is music. Writing about this topic would be very beneficial to
me because I will get the chance to learn about the possibilities of research topics that require
the help of both of the fields I will be a part of in the future. Knowing more about this particular
subject will allow me to acquire a better understanding of the benefits of music therapy and the
advancement and discovery of new ways to treat and possibly cure people that have conditions
pertaining to neural damage. My goal is to gain a complete understanding of the
communication between neuroscientists and music therapists all in hope of creating technology
that will benefit those in need.
Intended audience: The types of people in the audience that might benefit from my research
would most likely be the individuals who have family members with these possible conditions
we're researching, or those who take an interest in producing or designing technology.
Preliminary Thesis/Argument:
The discovery of new information pertaining to the benefits of music therapy will create the
opportunity for neuroscientists to develop advanced technology to help people with
neurodegenerative conditions or other brain related injuries. This recent area of research has
prompted me to examine the way in which neuroscientists and music therapists communicate
and how they come to conclusions with the research that they end up gathering on the subject.
Types of research areas:
I plan to gather evidence through scholarly resources and research on the internet, including
recorded field research. I feel I will be able to find all the information I need through these
areas on inquiry. The evidence needs to be professional and accurate.
Graphs or charts: I plan to add a graph to help present the accuracy, dependability, and overall
competence of the help of advanced technology acquired from the research of music therapy
on people with neurodegenerative conditions.