M.Phil. in Music: What, Why and How?

Professor Sanjoy BandopadhyayUstad Allauddin Khan Professor

Department of Instrumental Music

Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

What is M.Phil. Program?

The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) is a research degree, requiring the completion of a thesis.

Successful completion of the program will signify that the candidate has successfully completed a course of research training and has satisfied the examiners that he/she can carry out a research project and analyze critically the results.

While it is not necessary that an MPhil thesis would make a major contribution to the discipline by way of new knowledge (as a PhD would require), an M.Phil thesis would be expected to make a contribution to an existing body of knowledge by applying, clarifying, critiquing or interpreting that knowledge.

Apart from writing a thesis the course may also offer some papers that will support the scholars to get exposed to the areas of knowledge that is significant to carry out researches.

Why M.Phil.

M.Phil. Programme is a bridge between MA and Ph.D. programmes.

This programme will help the students to work more sensibly during their research efforts.

BA and MA programmes are mainly focused to the music performance and history.Apart from these some peripheral interdisciplinary studies like ‘Psychology of Music’, ‘Economics of Music’. ‘Musical Aesthetics’, ‘Music and Physics’ are also included.

The M.Phil. Programme may exclude the above areas while creating the course.

Primary requisites to work under a Ph.D. programme

Aptitude to frame the ‘Research Question’ or ‘The Topic of Research’. Originality is the primary characteristic of the thesis. This can mean examining material which has never been

studied before or interpreting well-known material in an innovative

manner or building upon the work of others can lead to new

areas, while providing a firm foundation on past scholarship.

The method

The method to pursue a research will depend on the type of problem and expected result [hypothesis].

The process usually involve accumulation of required data and their analysis.

Identifying information sources, Tools for data capture/assimilation, preservation, retrieval and analysis

Information sources may be live [human/others], recorded information in text/audio/video that may be retrieved from real libraries, virtual libraries through internet and others.

Data capture under a music research setting may involve procurement of 1. textual, 2. audio and 3. audio-video data depending on the research problem.

This capturing might call for different tools starting from paper and pencil to audio/video recording on recording devices and editing on the computer.

Data preservation may be done manually or using computer database programme.

Retrieval is fast and easier under computer environment. Different music analysis will again ask for different kinds of tools

depend on the type of data and research problem. The tool can vary from common logic, the use of audio analysis, statistical analysis, semiotic analysis [Charles Sanders Pierce/Jose Luiz Martinez] and so on.

Writing the thesis

It is important to choose an internationally acceptable citation method.

Knowing about creating bibliography, index, etc. Harvard alumni recommend thinking of the thesis

not as a whole but as individual chapters designating manageable parts that can be more easily completed.

Start writing as early as possible. The earlier you get things down on paper, the easier it will be to direct your thoughts and reading. It is almost always easier to revise and extend what you have already written, than to try to work everything out from the start.

How the M.Phil programme may be structured

So, the M.Phil. programme may guide on how to: develop research attitude frame research problems design the research method adopt appropriate research methods access different information sources [live/virtual] work with different data capture tools systematically preserve research data retrieve research data thesis writing

Some suggested course components Develop research attitude

Develop inquisitiveness in students through guided study. Frame research problems

Through guided study of appropriate researches and study of their roots.

Framing one’s own research problem Design the research method

Information about some common research methods or some common data procuring methods.

The research problem and the hypothesis or some kind of visualization of end result will guide to develop methodology.

Application in one’s own research. Access different information sources [live/virtual]

Accessing virtual library, JSTOR and others through Internet. Live interview process Use on one’s own research

Some suggested course components

Work with different data capture tools 1. Taking the note, 2. audio recording and editing, 3. Photo capturing and editing 4.

video recording and editing, 5. understanding computer database and feeding the data and systematic retrieval process. Use these on one’s own research.

Systematically preserve research data Designing and use of computer database. Use this on one’s own research.

Retrieve research data Using the computer database. Use this on one’s own research.

Data analysis The technique will depend on the type of data. Commonly required data analysis

are logical analysis and audio analysis. The other analysis may be semiotic analysis, statistical analyses and others as required under the research situations..

Use these on one’s own research. Thesis writing

Develop ability to write logically and appropriately Writing with appropriate citations Write you own thesis.

Finally

The students should be encouraged to think aloud.

The departments may consider of bringing out a detailed Research Support booklet [may be on the lines of JNU/Harvard/UCLA]

Hands-on experience may be emphasized in the programme.

If you have time for some fast reading

MUSIC PERCEPTION SYSTEMS :A sample dissertation proposal from MIT.

Research Manual from JNU A draft [Draft 2.1] of M.Phil programme

for the Department of Instrumental Music.

Interesting M.Phil. Curriculum presentation

T H A N K Y O U