Page 28 - IJPS-9-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Re-conceptualizing music education

addressed in the retained studies, as well as the research broad paradigms, a range of research designs (as defined
paradigms, designs, methods, and approaches to analyses by the authors) was detected, the most frequent being case
employed. study (31 studies); the second most frequent descriptive
(6 studies); and the third most frequent quasi-experiment
3.2.1. Topics and specific phenomena of interest (5 studies). In addition, we detected qualitative exploratory
The broad topic areas and phenomena of interest addressed studies (4), participatory action research studies
in the retained papers were categorized. Four overarching (2), ethnography (2), correlational studies (2), narrative
topic areas emerged (note that some studies addressed inquiry (2), and sequential studies (1). Research design
more than one phenomenon of interest): (i) Music, health, was not discussed in 13 papers.
and well-being (53 studies); (ii) lifelong music learning
(46 studies); (iii) continuing engagement (18 studies); and 3.2.3. Methods of data collection
(iv) personal development (10 studies). These topic areas Methods of data collection, as described by the authors,
were further categorized into more specific phenomena of included interviewing (semi-structured, in-depth,
interest (Table 6). structured, narrative, open-ended, focus group),
observations (video, in-person, participant), journals,
3.2.2. Research paradigms and designs documents and photographs, and questionnaires (Table 7).
The majority (49) of papers were carried out within a Twenty-six of the 68 papers included reference to, or
qualitative paradigm. Fifteen were mixed methods, while discussion of, ethical issues or procedures for gaining
there were only four quantitative studies. Within those approval from a research ethics board.

Table 5. Sample characteristics
Mean age Lower age in Upper Number Number of
of sample the sample age in the of males females
sample
Number of publications providing data 21 39 36 43 41
Number of publications with missing data 47 29 32 25 27
Mean 68.20 46.21 81.64 25.09 33.15
Median 70 52 82.50 6 10
SD 6.06 19.07 10.05 84.64 88.74

Table 6. Topic areas and phenomena of interest

Topic category Phenomenon of interest Number of studies* Total
Music, health, and well-being Meaning of music-making 22 51
Well-being 17
Health 6
Quality of life 6
Lifelong music learning Lifelong learning 15 46
Musical development 11
Role of facilitator 8
Role of institution 2
Learning motivation 10
Continuing engagement Lifelong engagement 6 17
Social engagement 1a
Personal development Identity work 5 10
Confidence 2
Spirituality 2
Creativity 1
Note: *Number does not add up to 67, as some studies identified more than one phenomenon of interest.

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2023) 22 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.383