PERSPECTIVES OF MUSICOLOGISTS ON ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH DESIGN IN MUSIC STUDIES

Abstract

There are several research designs involved in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results for any particular study in different disciplines. This depends on the focus of the researcher and the problem being investigated. Ethnographic research is obviously a qualitative research approach that focuses on captive audience upon which findings are discussed in line with research problem. Be as it may, there are different schools of thoughts about the strength and weakness of ethnographic research approach in addressing contemporary problems. This study thus investigated the perspectives of musicologists on ethnographic research design in music studies. Four research questions guided the study, and data were collected through in-depth interview on one-on-one basis. Relevant information for the study was collected from ethnomusicologists. It was found out that there are inadequacies and challenges in ethnographic research approach in music studies which include problem of accessibility to research locations and organisation of interview sessions with the informants. Also, the extent of generalisation of findings remain a crucial debate among scholars in the field and allied disciplines. The study concluded that ethnographic research approach provides opportunity for gaining direct entrance to culture of people where fieldwork is carried out, and to observe studies under research in real life settings for valid and reliable judgment as well as viable and quality contributions to knowledge.