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MUS40340

Academic Year 2026/2027

Doing Research (MUS40340)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Matthew Thomson
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module enables students to gain skills in research methods for three different approaches to music research: historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and composition/practice-based research. In practical seminars, students will learn to employ strategies for designing and carrying out a large research project in each of these three methodologies. Through these strategies, they will begin to design a project, which they will relate to existing research/practice and for which they will develop research/project aims. They will then gain experience in crafting the genres of text often needed for applications for doctoral programmes and research funding, including abstracts. They will produce abstracts for existing research or creative projects. Finally, they will gain skills in presenting their research to others in engaging and attractive ways, through 'pitch presentations'.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students should be able to:
- produce a coherent plan and outline for a project in at least one of composition/practice-based research, ethnomusicology, or historical musicology.
- analyse the prompts given in doctoral or funding applications and identify the characteristics of strong responses to such prompts.
- produce at least two genres of text usually required in doctoral or funding applications.
- recognise and implement strategies for presenting their research to others in an engaging way.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Introduction to designing and presenting a research project.
2. Ethnomusicology; Finding and Evaluating Sources (led by Dr Abigail Lindo)
3. Historical Musicology; writing research aims and research questions (led by Dr Matthew Thomson)
4. Composition/Practice-Based Research; writing an abstract or project description (led by Dr Seán Clancy)
5. 'Pitch Presentations'.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Proficient

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Competent

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Proficient

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 1

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Active task-based learning
Reading and reflection
Discussion of examples of work
Critical writing
Problem-based learning

Students may use AI tools for limited support in this module (e.g. idea generation). However, students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their learning. Any use of AI must be cited appropriately.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Research Aims/ Project Aims

Text (c. 1000-1500 words) explaining how your planned project emerges from your engagement with existing research/practice. Leads to statement of Research/Project Aims.		 Week 14 Graded No
35
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Abstract for an existing publication or project

Find a publication or creative project that interests you. Write a 'lay abstract' for it as if it were a new project.		 Week 14 Graded No
35
 No
Individual Project: Individual 'pitch' presentation, introducing your project to your classmates. Week 11 Graded No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive continuous feedback, both from lecturers and peers, on their developing ideas for their project throughout the course. Through formative reflective journals each week, students will have the chance to share insights with each other. Each assessment will then receive written feedback.

The main course book will be Booth et al, The Craft of Research (Chicago, 2024).
Other readings and resources will be provided and signalled by lecturers.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
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