University of Mississippi eGrove Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 1-1-2019 Content Analysis Of The Journal Of Historical Research In Music Education: 1980-2019 Gail Simpson Follow this and additional works at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd Part of the Music Education Commons Recommended Citation Simpson, Gail, "Content Analysis Of The Journal Of Historical Research In Music Education: 1980-2019" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1944. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1944 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at eGrove. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of eGrove. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNAL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION: 1980 – 2019 A Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Music University of Mississippi by Gail A. Simpson December 2019 Copyright Gail A. Simpson 2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ABSTRACT The purpose of this descriptive study is to explore the trends in historical research over a period of forty years (1980-2019) as presented in peer-reviewed Journal of Historical Research in Music Education (JHRME). This content analysis is geared towards examining categories of research conducted particularly within the last decade (2010-2019) with comparisons to previous studies. Adopting categories and definitions from Heller (1985), McCarthy (1999, 2012), and Stabler (1986), five questions guide the focus of investigation to include historical periods of study (e.g., 20th century), individuals, events, outcomes, and process variables, i.e., the teacher, the learner, the interaction of the teacher and the learner, the content of instruction, and the environment of instruction. Seventy-nine articles published between 2010 and 2019 were read, categorized, and codified. Cliometric analysis is conducted to note trends in biographies, curricular methods and materials, music education development, and historiography. Title analysis and non-random, purposive sampling of the 204 articles published between 1980 and 2009 is done to compare examples with findings from this study and that of McCarthy (1999, 2012). Of the five process variables, three are noted as having consistently high frequencies of exploration. However, one category is significantly underserved both in focus and in measurement of effectiveness of music education over time in the United States and Internationally. Noting the actors, social history, and new historicism, the challenge is presented to researchers to extend the focus of research to include voices not yet represented in the literature, often unrecognized due to geographic, linguistic, and cultural barriers. ii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents Rev. Dr. George Simpson and Mrs. Joan Simpson, and my brothers, Mr. O’Neil Simpson and Major Yohann Simpson. We have endured, and continue to overcome the challenges set before us. The Lord’s grace and mercy have been all-encompassing, for which I am truly thankful. Blessings and Love. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is indeed a treasured experience being advised and mentored by Dr. Alan Spurgeon, Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Music at the University of Mississippi. His encouragement and insight have fostered a greater sense of understanding during my exploration of historical research in music education. To you, Sir, I extend my gratitude. To the professors on my advisory committee, Dr. Michael Worthy, Dr. Andy Paney, and Dr. Brenda Praeger, I extend sincere thanks for your insight and dedication in granting me ambit to explore this area of research. It has been a fascinating journey of learning. To Dr. Marie McCarthy, editor and Dr. William R. Lee, book and media review editor of the Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, for your graciousness in sharing perspectives on the development of research in this field, and the process of preparing peer- reviewed publications, I extend my appreciation. The undertaking of this research was done in part with the support and regard of several individuals. In public recognition of their contribution, I extend thanks to Dr. Debra Spurgeon, Dr. Robert Riggs, UM Graduate School, UM College of Liberal Arts, the late Dr. Noel Dexter, Mr. Matthew Silpot, Dr. Byron Johnson, Dr. Larry Konecky, Dr. Renardo Murray, Colonel Rickey Coleman, Rev. Dr. Christopher Glover, Rev. Dr. Michael Miller, Dr. Oneal Mundle, Dr. Michael Rowlett, Dr. Michael Gardiner, Professor George Dor, Professor Ricky Burkhead, Dr. Thomas Peattie, Mrs. Jean Robinson, Dr. Phillip Hash, Rev. Dr. Alfred Johnson, Rev. Dr. Stephen Jennings, Rev. Trevor Edwards, Dr. Edward Robinson, Dr. Garnet Mowatt, Dr. randy Tillmut, Dr. Donald Trott, Dr. Donna Schaffer, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Dr. Martha and Mr. Bob Monroe, Dr. Alona Alexander, Mr. Byron Chatman, Mrs. Rose Gowie-McLean, Mr. Karl Smith, Dr. Steven Taranto, Dr. Wanda Ikeda, Dr. Elizabeth Mize, the Honorable Deborah McDonald, Ms. Alicia Canterbury, Mr. Eric Johnson, Mrs. Leigh Jackson, Ms. Amanda Fliflett, Ms. Lynn Wilkins, Mr. Terry Weathers, Mrs. Cara Jones, Mr. Kelvin Towers, Graduate Colleagues, Mt. Carey Circuit of Baptist Churches, Sarasota Baptist Church, Port Gibson Baptist Church, New Albany First United Methodist Church, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. To my extended family of Mrs. Ruth MacLeod and family, Ms. Meggie Monnity and family, the Williamson family, and the Simpson family, I love you and God bless. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ii Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv List of Tables viii List of Figures ix CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION Introduction 1 Statement of Purpose 7 Research Questions 7 Overview of Methodology 8 Rationale and Significance 9 Role of Researcher and Underlying Assumptions 10 Definitions of Terms 11 Organization of Dissertation 11 CHAPTER II: RELATED LITERATURE Related Literature 12 Initial Patterns in the BHRME/JHRME Journal 15 Developmental Shifts in the Journal 18 Summary of the First Two Decades 22 Summary of the Third Decade 29 Parallels in other Journals 30 Summary 31 v CHAPTER III: METHODS AND PROCEDURES Research Setting and Context 33 Data Collection Method 34 Data Analysis Method 35 Limitations and Delimitations 36 Summary 37 CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS Overview 39 Question 1: Who is the author of the article and/or book review? 46 Question 2: What is the primary topic category of the content? 51 Question 3: Which historical period is examined? 59 Question 4: What trends emerged in content over time by research dimension? 60 Variables Examined 61 Research Methodologies Used 66 Summary 72 CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Discussion and Conclusion 74 Question 5: Are there unique features in the data explained by societal shifts? 76 Discussion 84 Conclusion 92 Recommendation 93 REFERENCES 96 vi APPENDICES List of Appendices 118 Appendix A: Names of all authors 119 Appendix B: Definition of Terms 122 Appendix C: Categorical view of JHRME volumes 127 VITA 146 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Frequencies and averages of all articles published…………………………..………… 39 2. Number and percentage of articles by country………………………………………… 40 3. Number of articles published annually in the United States by region……….............. 42 4. Number of articles published annually internationally by country……….…………… 44 5. Frequencies of Single and Co-authored articles for all volumes………………………. 47 6. Authors with two or more articles and/or reviews (1980-2019)……………………….. 49 7. Total number of articles, reviews, page counts, and average pages per published document for volumes 31-40 (2010-2019)…………………………………………….. 51 8. Frequency and percentage of occurrence of articles by categories……………………. 52 9. Frequency and percentage of occurrence of articles by categories for volumes 1-40 (1980-2019)……………………………………………………………………………..53 10. Frequency of topics found with biographical data in volumes 31-40………................ 55 11. Frequency and percentage of occurrence of articles by research methodologies (2010- 2019)……………………………………………………………………………............ 56 12. Frequency and percentage of occurrence of categories in articles (2010- 2019)…………………………………………………………………………………… 57 viii LIST OF FIGURES 1. Figure 1. Trend of articles published each five years during 1980 to April 2019……….41 2. Figure 2. Number of articles per volume year (1980-2019) by United States region…...44 3. Figure 3. Number of authors of articles by geographic region for all volumes 1-40…....47 4. Figure 4. Trends of occurrence of articles by categories in all volumes (1980-2019)…..54 5. Figure 5. Number of articles by historical period for all volumes 1-40 (1980-2019)…...60 6. Figure 6. Number of articles per process variable over time (1980-2019)………………62 ix CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION In a speech to the Society for Research in Music Education at the MENC’s National Biennial In-Service Conference, Yarbrough (1996) articulated six important elements of contemplation in music education research: 1) to broaden music educators as researchers by developing interdisciplinary knowledge and skills; 2) to nurture young scholars, including those fluent in more than one mode of inquiry; 3) to employ philosophical inquiry by understanding the overarching concepts within which other concepts emerge; 4) to build a cogent, focused body of literature in the areas of teaching, preference, performance, perception, and discrimination; 5) to define and