This page is divided into two sections: research methods and research guides. 

• The methodology resources collected here can help you design and conduct your own research as well as better understand the methods used by other researchers in your field.
• Research guides and bibliographies provide an overview of the research done on a topic and are often quite comprehensive. Often broken down into subtopics, they can give you a head start on finding related material and help you decide what sources to read next.

You can find handbooks, guides, and bibliographies on a variety of topics relating to music education through the library. We've highlighted several resources below, but you can find additional materials by searching for your topic AND "research guide", "bibliography", or "handbook" in the library catalog.

In particular, you might want to explore the Oxford Handbooks on Music Education Series (linked below).

For a sampling of music education guides to get you started, check out the list below!

If you plan to conduct research involving people (surveys, student observation, focus groups, etc.) you should contact the University's Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) (formerly the Institutional Review Board or IRB office). You will need to undergo training and receive approval to conduct your research PRIOR to beginning it--especially if you plan to publish it in any form.

Check out the Does my study need IRB approval? page to determine if you need to go through the approval process and what steps are required. OPRS also has helpful checklists and a glossary to help you navigate unfamiliar terms during the submission process.