About this ebook
About the author
It was a small wish that someday I would write a book on research methodology, but I never imagined that this will happen now. While preparing for the research methodology lectures for the M.Phil and PhD, the thought came to mind to save these lectures with detailed elaboration. Gradually it took the shape of a book. And it happened!!.
As a researcher in music, I have many experiences during my PhD course. There are some practical problems discussed in the introduction part. In the typical scenario of music education or research, I feel there is a severe lack of proper methodology in music. Many aspects are yet not explored in the field of research in music. The Research methodologies are purely based on historical and social researches. That's true that music is a social phenomenon, and it goes with the social realities. Still, my humble thrust is to explore the other aspects of music beyond just social/historical connections. Not just quality rather some quantity/numbers can always explain the musical phenomenon a little more logically. That is why I have tried to introduce some basics of quantitative methods along with in-depth qualitative analysis. It is undoubtable that qualitative methods explain the musical phenomenon well. I feel that the combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods can make it more legitimate. The most appropriate approach is to combine both the techniques, called Mixed-Method research, which I have tried to explain well.
Again it is to remember that ‘Mixed Method’ is not simply mixing both Quantitative and Qualitative analysis rathe it follows some basic rules and methods of doing so that are explained in this book.
Knowing the fear for numbers with music students, I have tried to give a simple introduction to the basic statistics that anyone can understand easily. However, details are missing in the explanation. My aim in doing so is, if anyone wishes to includes a quantitative approach, they can have little idea about it. As a researcher they can find more details if they want to. And those who don't want quantitative methods they can just ignore the small part of the book.
The use of online resources in the resource process, I think, is the unique part of the book. I am sure anyone will admit the role of the internet in every step of research, which many of the research methodology books forgets to emphasis on. Here in this book, I have tried to give a hand on guide to some essential functions on the internet. Use of important software is also discussed. Finding literature, Google Scholar, Citation / referencing in Microsoft Word, use of Mendeley and other plug-ins etc are given importance. Although many of the researchers might find it fundamental but in my personal experience with the subjects I can say that most beginners are unaware of many things. The fact is that everybody uses the internet on the earth. All are well equipped with knowledge of the use of the internet. There is a web of information in the internet, but finding the right or appropriate tools/ methods need little guidance for beginners.
The aim of the book, as the title suggests, its to ‘Simplify The Research’, so explanations are made extremely easy. Maybe I can further try to come up with more in-depth writing on some of the topics of the book.
Structurally the book is divided into Sections I, II, III, and IV. All the units include some chapters. The Sections discuss the chronological steps of research, types of research and with required figures and illustrations. The last section discusses some elementary issues related to research.
Although the methods are common to most social sciences subjects, even some sciences, the difference in calling it research methodology book in music is the examples in the books. In every step I have included the examples from the music research for the researcher to connect easily. The book will guide students to find the literature in every mentioned method and element.
