BL/PM511 Research Methods

Key Information

Course: BA (Hons) Professional Musicianship

Module Code: PM511

Module Level: 5

Module Credits: 20

Pre-requisite module or learning: None

Module type: Core

Teaching & Learning

Lectures: 25 x 1.5 Hours

Tutorials: 1 Hour

Personal Development Time: 160 Hours

Module Leader

Riaan Vosloo

Module Summary

This module helps musicians, producers and project managers understand how to conduct research using
a variety of different methods. The research skills and data generated can be used to plan and prepare for
the Year 3 PM611 Professional Project next year.

Many students are frustrated in their ambitions because they lack the skills to view their own and others’
work objectively. Talented individuals sometimes invest significant time and resources in projects with little
commercial potential under the illusion that ‘success’ is somehow attainable in the future. This module can
help candidates develop the skills to road-test their ideas and offer an objective assessment of their work.
The ability to carry out research is an invaluable resource to those who wish to develop informed ideas,
viable music projects and realistic business plans.

Aims

ì Students will develop an understanding of effective research techniques and methodology

ì Students will be able to apply their understanding to their written work and develop informed and
independent self-development
ì Students will develop an understanding of key issues in research including reliability, validity, bias,
ethics and triangulation
ì Students will be able to use their skills in planning their practical projects

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ì Students will be able to construct and reference work appropriately

Indicative Study Topics

ì Research methods in Higher Education including research methodologies, methods and techniques
ì Devising and designing potential projects
ì Developing and presenting a project proposal
ì Generating data and interpreting findings
ì Key issues in research: reliability, validity, bias and ethics
ì Producing a project report

Teaching & Learning Methods

This module will be delivered using a range of methods including formal lectures with audio/visual
support, small group work, seminars, presentations, coursework, in class exercises, tutor demonstrations,
e-learning through the BIMM Moodle, and Independent study and research.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will help to monitor individual student progress. It includes in-class presentations
with Q&A, in class exercises to prepare written work, peer and tutor feedback during exercises, and email
feedback on draft presentations and projects.

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 Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module a successful student will be able to:

1. Formulate a research question which is professionally or personally relevant, and design a project
to answer this
2. Demonstrate that you have read about your topic, and can put your project in context through
secondary research
3. Plan and carry out relevant primary research, showing engagement with research theory
4. Critically reflect on the design, progress and outcomes of your research

Assessment

Summative Learning Individual

Assessment Formative/ Assessment
No Assessment Length Outcomes or Group
Weighting Summative Week
Methods Addressed work
Project
1 1000 words 1,2 20% Formative W10 Individual
Proposal

Research
2 3,500 words 1,2,3, 4 80% Summative W27 Individual
Project

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Assessment Briefs
A1 Project Proposal

Submission Week 10 Submission Deadline 4pm 4th December 2018

Assessment Weighting 20%
Length 1000 words

The proposal will outline the project that you will subsequently undertake in this module.
You should negotiate your choice of subject and methodology carefully with the subject tutor before
committing to a set path. Check the A2 Project Report brief before you begin your proposal to
determine whether you will undertake an action research project or a standard research project, as the
briefs differ slightly in structure.

Your proposal should include the following elements:

1. Title page: Title of proposed project, Module, Candidate Number (not name), date and word
count.
2. Introduction: This section should explain what the project is about, and why you are
interested in the topic. You should discuss what you hope to achieve and how the project
might help you in future.
3. Literature review: This section should outline the subject areas you will be reading about and
include examples of specific texts you will be referring to in the finished project. You should
provide examples of ideas you have found so far and include quotations to demonstrate these.
Use Harvard referencing throughout.
4. Methodology: Here you will need to describe your proposed research methodology, and
explain why this is appropriate, referring to research texts to support your choices. You should
also demonstrate how you will address any ethical concerns involved in the project.
5. Project activity: This is where you describe how you will generate primary data and consider
problems which you may encounter.
6. Conclusions: Having explained what your project is about and how you will do it, you should
sum up briefly what you hope the outcomes will be.
7. References: List the sources you have referred to in the proposal, using the Harvard
Referencing System.
8. Timetable: include a GANTT chart or CPA to show the timetable for the project.
9. Ethical approval form: Here you will demonstrate that you have considered any ethical
concerns involved with the project, and how you will address these.

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Assessed Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed

1. Formulate a research question which is
professionally or personally relevant, and
design a project to answer this
on their ability to:
Choose a topic related to the music industry and/or
your personal development/professional practice
Plan a research project, taking into account ethical
considerations

2. Demonstrate that you have read about your Situate the project in relation to relevant academic
topic, and can put your project in context research on the topic. Include examples of practical,
through secondary research editorial or biographical material where appropriate.

Explain why your project is relevant and worthy of

inquiry.

Submission Details

Submission location: Moodle Module Page

Project Proposal:
File type: Word/PDF
File Size limit: 40MB

*Please refer to the section entitled ‘Submission of Work for Assessment’ in the ‘General Assessment
Information’ section of this document for guidance on how to present and submit your essay.

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A2 Research Project

Submission Week 27 Submission Deadline 4pm 21st May 2019

Assessment Weighting 80%
Length 3500 words

This is a report on the research activity that you have undertaken. Start writing early – your work will
partly draw on material gathered in your research proposal, so you can draft some sections while the
research is being conducted.

There are two suggested formats for your final report – Option A, for action research reports and
Option B for other types of research projects

Option A – Suggested format for action research projects

1. Title Page: Title, Module, Candidate Number (not name), date and word count.

2. Abstract: Explain as briefly as possible what the project consists of, the approach and
methodology used, and your main conclusions and recommendations. This should be a
succinct summary of the whole project, including what you found out.

3. Contents Page: With chapter headings and page numbers.

4. Introduction / Evaluation: This could be one section or split in two. You should explain here
what the project is about and why this particular subject is important to you. You should
establish your ‘start point’, and why the focus of the project is an issue in the first place,
providing evidence for this where possible. You should also state here why you think action
research is a good approach, what this is and how it works, basing this on research theory
from your textbooks.

5. Plan: This is an account of how you explored your options and planned your intervention. Your
literature review will largely belong here, as well as other primary sources of advice where
appropriate. You should describe and justify your choice of specific research methods, and
you must refer to relevant research texts to support your choices. In describing your plan, you
should make it clear what you set out to do, and your justification for doing so including, where
appropriate, discussion of such issues as triangulation, validity and bias. You should also
address ethical considerations here.

6. Act / Project activity: This section should present what you did, and what happened (your
findings). Explain how you monitored your progress, and provide evidence for this. This
section could include accounts of obstacles, successes, and changes of direction, with further
input from secondary and / or primary sources where relevant. This section should include
evidence for your ‘end point’ with a clear statement as to what has changed over the course of
the project.

7. Reflect / Conclusions: This section should present your conclusions drawn from the project
findings and reflect on the implications of these. Critically evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the project. Consider whether - and how - your project, and the skills involved,
might be developed through further study, as well as how it might help your career in the
future.

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 8. References: This is where you list the sources you have referred to throughout the project,
using the Harvard Reference System.

9. Appendices: Supporting materials referred to in your text should be included here, such as,
for example, interview questions and transcripts, questionnaire responses, graphs,
screenshots, photos, links to audio or video etc. (Note: the appendices are for materials which
are incidental, or too lengthy for inclusion in the main body of the text. However, if there are
data which are directly relevant do include them, or a sample of them, in the project itself.)

Option B – Suggested format for other types of research project

Your report should include the following elements:

1. Title Page: Title of project, Module, Candidate Number (not name), date and word count.

2. Abstract: Explain as briefly as possible what the project consists of, the approach and
methodology used, and your main conclusions and recommendations. This should be a
succinct summary of the whole project, including what you found out.

3. Contents Page: With chapter headings and page numbers.

4. Introduction: This section should explain what the project is about and why you chose this
particular subject. You should discuss how your project relates to the subject area as a whole,
and how it is relevant to your future studies and career.

5. Literature Review: Demonstrate how existing, relevant literature influenced and illuminated
your project. This can be a separate section, or you may choose to incorporate references to
relevant literature as you go along if you wish. Either way, your reading here should place your
project in a wider context and show that you are aware of existing writing and research into
your topic. Make sure that your source material is properly referenced according to the
Harvard Reference System.

6. Method(s) & Methodology: Discuss your overarching research methodology. You should
describe and justify your choice of research methods, and you must refer to relevant research
texts here to support your choices. Critically evaluate the approaches used and, where
appropriate, discuss such issues as triangulation, validity and bias. You should also address
ethical considerations here.

7. Project Activity: Explain how you conducted your primary research: describe what you set
out to do, and what happened. Don’t be afraid to discuss problems as well as achievements.

8. Project Findings: This is where you present your main findings, and discuss what you think
your data mean. Your findings, your analysis of them, and the conclusions you draw from them
are the most important aspects of your project. Consider using visual representations (such as
graphs or charts) of the data where appropriate.

9. Conclusions and Recommendations: This section should present your conclusions drawn
from the project findings and the discuss implications of these, whether for yourself or for
others. You should reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the project, and consider
whether - and how - your project might be developed through further study, as well as how it
might help your career in the future.

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 10. References: This is where you list the sources you have referred to throughout the project,
using the Harvard Referencing System.

11. Appendices: Supporting materials referred to in your text should be included here, such as,
for example, interview questions and transcripts, questionnaire responses, graphs,
screenshots, photos, links to audio or video etc. (Note: the appendices are for materials which
are incidental, or too lengthy for inclusion in the main body of the text. However, if there are
data which are directly relevant do include them, or a sample of them, in your 'Project
Findings'.)

Assessed Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed

1. Formulate a research question which is
professionally or personally relevant, and
design a project to answer this
on their ability to:
Choose a topic related to the music industry and/or
your personal development/professional practice
Plan a research project, taking into account ethical
considerations

2. Demonstrate that you have read about your Situate the project in relation to relevant academic
topic, and can put your project in context research on the topic. Include examples of practical,
through secondary research editorial or biographical material where appropriate.

Explain why your project is relevant and worthy of

inquiry.

3. Plan and carry out relevant primary
research, showing engagement with research
theory
Explain and justify the project methodology using
credible academic textbooks on research methods.
Carry out appropriate primary research based on
this.

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4. Critically reflect on the design, progress and Discuss your project findings, and justify the
outcomes of your research conclusions you draw from these.

Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of

the project.
Submission Details/Assessment Details

Submission location: Moodle Module Page

Research Project:
File type: PDF
File Size limit: 40MB

*Please refer to the section entitled ‘Submission of Work for Assessment’ in the ‘General Assessment
Information’ section of this document for guidance on how to present and submit your essay.

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Generic Assessment Information

Generic Marking Scheme - Level 5

90%-100%
Exceptional work with presentation of the highest standard. The work is coherent and high levels of skill and
subject knowledge have been demonstrated. The work exhibits ability in problem solving and critical
evaluation (where required) and exceptional levels of technical ability and skill. There is evidence of a sound
ability to critically interrelate theories with examples from practice where appropriate.

80%-89%
Outstanding work with presentation of a very high standard, creative and imaginative, in engaging the
recipient. There is comprehensive understanding of key concepts and knowledge and evidence of critical
analysis and insight. The work is appealing and technically proficient and is clearly related to external
knowledge and engagement with reflective learning. There is some evidence of an ability to critically
interrelate theories with examples from practice where appropriate.

70%-79%
Extremely good work with presentation of a high standard, which fulfils its aims with clarity. Work that is
interesting, creative and technically confident. The work demonstrates effective understanding of the
relationship between theory and practice. Significant evidence of critical analysis and reference to external
knowledge and research where required.

60%-69%
A very sound piece of work, which is well presented and engaging on the whole. Demonstrates sound
techniques, knowledge and understanding with an emerging ability to critically engage with and apply the
concepts involved linking them to practice where appropriate. Content is wholly relevant and is coherently
structured and referenced to external knowledge.

50%-59%
Work is of a good standard but displays some shortcomings. Evidence of a sound knowledge base but limited
critical and practical application of concepts and ideas. Overall, technically competent, but may omit some
significant (but not vital) aspects of the task set. Some reference is made to external knowledge together with
some connection between ideas and the meaning of the work, where appropriate.

40%-49%
Overall a competent piece of work with adequate presentation. The work makes some links between theory
and practice where appropriate, and there is also some reference to external knowledge. The work may lack
coherence and may be unsubstantiated by relevant source material or partially flawed. Technical skills are
limited. The work has elements that are poorly structured and confused: the recipient may have to
concentrate to find meaning.

30%-39% – Fail
The work is poorly structured, incoherent and poorly presented and contains numerous errors,
inconsistencies and omissions with limited use of source material. Evidence of a weak knowledge base with
some key aspects not addressed and use of irrelevant material. Flawed use of techniques. Limited evidence
of engagement with external knowledge and no evidence of critical thought. Little reference is made to
practice or theory where appropriate.

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20-29% – Fail
Fails to meet the principal requirements of the assignment brief and the work has limited meaning. Very
poorly structured and presented, incoherent and lacking in imagination or insight. Evidence of a very weak
knowledge base with many key omissions and much material irrelevant. Use of inappropriate or incorrect
techniques. Very little or no evidence of appropriate references to external knowledge, and no evidence of
critical thought.

0-19 % - Fail
The work is extremely poorly structured and presented. It demonstrates no real knowledge or understanding
of key concepts and principles. Much material is irrelevant, incorrect or omitted. No evidence of critical
thought, technical competence or skill. No effective use of external knowledge. No links to practice where
appropriate. Not a genuine attempt to engage with the assessment requirements and/or subject matter.

Categorical Marking Scheme

Available Marking Categories Equivalent BA Classification BIMM HE Generic Mark Scheme
Band
100 90-100
95
90
85 First 80-89
80
75 70-79
72
68 60-69
65 2i
62
58 50-59
55 2ii
52
48 40-49
45 3rd
42
38 30-39
High Fail
35
30
20 20-29
10 Fail
5 0-19
0

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Submission of Work for Assessment

Essay & Written Work Format

Please note that it is very important to submit coursework in the required format in a clear and professional
manner. It is also your responsibility to keep copies of all your work, whether they be text documents or digital
submissions such as audio or video recordings.

Unless otherwise specified, written submissions should conform to the following:

ì Format: Your work should be delivered as A4 and double-spaced in size 11 or 12-point type in a clear
font such as Times or Arial. The work must be submitted as a PDF (Adobe Portable Document
Format).

ì Title Page: Make sure your work is anonymised by stating your candidate number. In addition, enter
the module name, the assessment (or assignment) title, and the word count.

ì Page Information: Each page must include your candidate number in the header, and a page number
in the footer.

ì Spelling and grammar: Your work is expected to be readable, clearly expressed and correctly
spelled. Please use a UK spell checker, and you may find it useful for somebody to proof read your
written work. Poorly written work may be penalised (although students with dyslexia who have
informed Student Services and registered this with their Student Support Officer will not be penalised
for spelling, structure or grammar).

ì Reference lists: When a reference list is required, this should be compiled using the Harvard
Referencing System (HRS – Please see BIMM Institute Harvard Referencing Guide).

Digital Media (if required for your submission)

ì Digital compatibility: It is your responsibility to check that any audio and video materials required for
assessment are formatted correctly. Audio files must be submitted in the MP3 format (as appropriate
to the assessment) and video files in MP4 format, though there may be further briefing depending on
individual assessment requirements. Make sure you seek advice from your tutor if you are in any
doubt - and remember - if we can’t play it then we can’t mark it!

Submitting work

Please note that all coursework is normally submitted digitally via the assignment submission portals in the
relevant module page on BIMM Moodle (NB you will be informed if there are any other submission
requirements for a particular assessment).

ì Labelling your work: Ensure that all submitted materials are labelled with your candidate number and
the assignment name and module title (your candidate number should also be included in the header
information on each page).

ì Backing up your work: All digitally stored work must be backed up twice (for your own peace of mind
and to supply any additional copies for assessment purposes if this is required). It is important to note
that the loss of work due to computer failure or any other reason does NOT qualify for Mitigating
Circumstances. No extensions or any other form of allowances will be made for the loss of such data

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 and therefore we strongly recommend that all your work is regularly backed up securely and
carefully.

Please note all students have 1TB of cloud storage available via your Moodle site so we encourage this as
one of the backup options.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the presentation of work by a student for assessment which is not his/her own, in the
sense that all or part of the work has been copied from that of another person (whether published or not)
without attribution, or the presentation of another’s work as if it were his/her own. Plagiarism is a serious
offence and may lead to serious implications for the student. Any student who knowingly permits another
student to plagiarise his/her own work will also be regarded as having breached student code of conduct.

BIMM Institute uses an electronic plagiarism detection service called Turnitin. This allows the student and the
College to check systematically for plagiarism, thus ensuring that all student work is original. Plagiarism
detection services search the web and extensive databases of reference material and content submitted by
other students to identify any duplication with the students’ submitted work. Plagiarism is very easy to detect.

Feedback

Your feedback will be available no later than 15 working days from the submission date.

Working days exclude Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and the closure period between Christmas and New
Year.

Whilst we make every effort to return by the target date, we may be required to exceed this due to extended
moderation or additional quality assurance procedures. You will be informed of the reason for any delay.

To access your feedback please return to the original upload portal.

Word counts

The word count required for a written assessment is published to students and a variation of +/-10% from the
specified figure is permitted without incurring a marking penalty.

The limits as stated include quotations in the text, but do not include the bibliography, footnotes/ endnotes,
appendices, abstracts, maps, illustrations, transcriptions of linguistic data, or tabulations of numerical or
linguistic data and their captions.

Any excess in word count should not confer an advantage over other students who have adhered to the
guidance. Students are requested to state the word count on submission. Where a student has exceeded the
word count by between 11% - 20% the Marker should penalise the work by deducting 10 percentage points
from the grade. In excessive cases (>20%) the Marker need only consider work up to the designated word
count, including the allowed 10% margin, and discount any text beyond that to ensure equity across the
cohort.

Where an assessment falls significantly short (>10%) of the word count, the Marker must consider, when
assigning a mark, if the argument has been sufficiently developed and is adequately supported, and not
assign the full marks allocation where this is not the case.

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 Penalties for late submission

Students should allow sufficient time to complete an upload, particularly for larger files.

If you fail to submit your work by the deadline, you can submit your work up to 24 hours after the deadline
with a deduction of 5 percentage points.

If you submit after 24 hours and up to 7 days after the deadline, 10 percentage points will be deducted.

After 7 days, you will fail the assessment with zero mark.

Reading List
Core texts:

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project. 3rd ed. Open University Press.

Cohen, L. and Manion, L. (2011) Research Methods in Education. 7th ed. Routledge

Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (Palgrave Study
Guide) London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide: For small-scale social research projects. 4th edn.

Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing.

Herbert, T. (2009) Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing About Music [electronic resource]
Oxford University Press.

Kahneman, D. (2011) Thinking, fast and slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Sampsel, L.J. (2009) Music Research: A Handbook. Oxford University Press.

Thomas, G. (2013) How to do your research project: A guide for students in education and applied social
sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

For an up to date set of links and e-resources please go to the Research Methods module page
on Moodle.

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