Postgraduate Research in Music A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Thesis

Postgraduate Research in Music: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Thesis is an essential text for music students who are undertaking postgraduate research. Unique in its approach and scope, this is a "how to" book, a practical guide that sets out, step-by-step, how to write a thesis. It discusses all key aspects of the research process in the order in which they are encountered, from the initial stages of a research project to completion of a thesis. It also offers a music-specific focus, with explanations and examples that are immediately relevant for all music research and which take into account the special characteristics of music as a discipline. At the same time, the book provides a useful teaching framework for lecturers.

All key concepts are illustrated with music-relevant examples. Exercises, and in some chapters class seminar topics as well, are included to reinforce the concepts being discussed. Reading lists are appended at the end of most chapters, enabling students to explore topics in greater depth. Valuable supplementary information, such as referencing examples, is provided in the appendices.

Postgraduate Research in Music is based on the premise that there are certain principles that underpin good scholarship, regardless of the area in which the research is conducted. In distilling and discussing these principles, this book speaks to all scholars working within the discipline of music.

Victoria Rogers is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University. She previously served as Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Western Australia, where she taught analytical and historical musicology, directed the honours programme, and supervised postgraduate research students. Her research has been largely in the area of Australian music, most notably her work on the music of the composer Peggy Glanville-Hicks, and on the pianist Eileen Joyce; she has also undertaken research on the ethnomusicologist John Blacking.

Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1: Finding a Topic
Chapter 2: Searching for Sources Part 1: Key Resources and Resource Portals
Chapter 3: Searching for Sources Part 2: Strategies for Locating Information
Chapter 4: Writing a Literature Review
Chapter 5: Writing a Research Proposal
Chapter 6: Writing a Thesis Part 2: Content and Organization
Chapter 7: Writing a Thesis Part 2: Style in Academic Writing
Chapter 8: Writing a Thesis Part 3: The Musical Lexicon
Chapter 9: Writing a Thesis Part 4: Efficiency and Effectiveness
Chapter 10: Beyond the Thesis

Appendix A: Referencing in the Chicago Notes and Bibliography style
Appendix B: Referencing in the APA style
Appendix C: Guidelines for Musical Examples
Appendix D: Guidelines for Tables
Appendix E: Guidelines for Figures
Appendix F: Guidelines for Punctuation