Hi all, I was recently asked to become part of a campaign to reform the main journal in my profession. The journal is jokingly referred to as 'the Florida State journal' due to the disproportionate number of articles published by FSU alums and editors from the school. Another issue with the journal is that it is heavily weighted to quantitative research; I have many colleagues who have simply given up submitting qualitative research articles due to consistent rejection (often given without explanation). So I decided to base my letter on the research issue as it is something I am seeing more and more clearly through my studies at UNC. This was a hard piece to write as I am putting myself on the line with some major players in my field, but you know, if nobody speaks up nothing changes!
To: Editors of Journal of Music Therapy
Dear Journal of Music Therapy Editors,
I am writing to voice my concern over with the disproportionate number of quantitative versus qualitative studies represented in the journal. Music therapy’s battle for scientific recognition has required research be conducted in quantifiable terms and the journal has had its place in trying to legitimize the field in this way. Music therapy certainly has measurable results and parameters yet much of what we do effects changes in emotions, mental states, and perceptions of self and others, and these are not easily captured in numbers.
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. with a doctoral minor in research and am witness to a change in higher education: research and education fields now not only acknowledge but welcome qualitative methods. Qualitative research is widely accepted as a norm in education, nursing, and counseling psychology programs and is offered as an equal partner to quantitative research in university classrooms. I find it ironic that music therapy, a field that embraces both art and science, is lagging behind other programs in the promotion and teaching of qualitative methods. We have a unique opportunity to offer the research world ways to bridge science and human experience. It is time to open our journal doors to qualitative research more fully and explore the rich nuances of meaning in music, self-expression, and the therapeutic relationship. Our profession will only be bettered in doing so.
Thank you for your consideration. I welcome any comments or questions.
Sincerely,
Laura E. Beer
lbeer@peakpeak.com
(970) 484-2833
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