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Getting Started..
Getting Started..
When starting any project work, make a list of everything you need to know in order to run a successful project
When starting any project work, make a list of everything you need to know in order to run a successful project
What do you need to find out more about?
What is the best way of you going about this?
Where will you find relevant information? Who should you ask?
As you make your list, start to categorise your research ideas into Primary and Secondary research
As you make your list, start to categorise your research ideas into Primary and Secondary research
The fundamental difference between Primary and Secondary research is this:
When you conduct primary research, you’re collecting data by doing your own surveys or observations; the research is generated by you personally and it should enable you to learn something useful that informs your subsequent actions.
In secondary research, you’re looking at existing data from other sources, such as journals, articles, agencies or proven statistics.
Primary research often attempts to answer questions that have not been answered in your secondary research.
Primary research often attempts to answer questions that have not been answered in your secondary research.
For that reason, primary research is often conducted after you have completed your secondary research. It is often more time consuming, therefore it is better to start with secondary and use your findings to carefully decide what primary research to conduct.
For that reason, primary research is often conducted after you have completed your secondary research. It is often more time consuming, therefore it is better to start with secondary and use your findings to carefully decide what primary research to conduct.
A good test of your primary research is to check that it answers specific questions that you have been able to identify from your secondary research.
Primary Research
Primary Research
You can use Primary Research to : -
- Validate information that you found during your secondary research
- Answer a question which you were unable to during your secondary research
The benefit of Primary Research is that you can design it to answer a specific question.
Types of primary research include
Types of primary research include
- Experiments - Example, in your secondary research you may have found out about vocal techniques associated with jazz singing. To validate your findings you could design an experiment in which you record vocal scat improvisations over a backing track and evaluate the results
- Surveys - Example, you are aiming to put on a live jazz gig and want to conduct some market research to find out about target audience age groups, perceptions around jazz music, venue preferences etc..
Another Survey Example - in your secondary research you may have found out that Instagram is the most popular social media tool for promotion, particularly for those aged between 18-25 years.
Another Survey Example - in your secondary research you may have found out that Instagram is the most popular social media tool for promotion, particularly for those aged between 18-25 years.
To validate you findings, you could create a survey (aimed at 18-25 year olds), that asks them about their preferred social media platforms, and how they use them
To validate you findings, you could create a survey (aimed at 18-25 year olds), that asks them about their preferred social media platforms, and how they use them
- Interviews - Example, in your secondary research you may have found out about up and coming young performers who are forging a new subgenre of music
To validate your findings, you may try to interview 1 or more successful performers. You could ask them about their influences and any specific techniques they use, as well as good/bad experiences they have encountered and what they learnt from them
To validate your findings, you may try to interview 1 or more successful performers. You could ask them about their influences and any specific techniques they use, as well as good/bad experiences they have encountered and what they learnt from them
- Observation - Example, you want to know more about how to operate a sound desk for a live performance sound check; shadow a live sound technician during a rehearsal; ask questions, take notes, photos, videos
To validate your findings, you arrange a sound check for your band - oversee the sound check; compare sound quality; balance, tone; direct and advise band members on stage, liaise with sound technician
To validate your findings, you arrange a sound check for your band - oversee the sound check; compare sound quality; balance, tone; direct and advise band members on stage, liaise with sound technician
- Case Studies - Example, you want to find out how an artist you admire has achieved success in the music industry. Your secondary research has answered your initial questions: How did they promote their music? What was their first big break? What support did they receive to help manage their career, fame, the media?
Evaluate your findings: what have you learned from your research that might apply to your own aims and ambitions and inform your next steps towards success? What are the most effective ways to build your fan base? Find out how to contact an agent to represent you - what is their fee? ; how do you get a record deal; how do you protect your song writing rights and royalties? Factoring in all the work you would need to do, what is a realistic timescale for achieving a successful career in the music industry?
Evaluate your findings: what have you learned from your research that might apply to your own aims and ambitions and inform your next steps towards success? What are the most effective ways to build your fan base? Find out how to contact an agent to represent you - what is their fee? ; how do you get a record deal; how do you protect your song writing rights and royalties? Factoring in all the work you would need to do, what is a realistic timescale for achieving a successful career in the music industry?
Useful Resources
Useful Resources
How to Conduct an Interview
How to Conduct an Interview
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
As a general rule it is more common to start with Secondary Research. This provides the researcher with background information that will help give them a sense of direction. It will also help in deciding what primary research to conduct.
As a general rule it is more common to start with Secondary Research. This provides the researcher with background information that will help give them a sense of direction. It will also help in deciding what primary research to conduct.
This information has been gathered by someone else, hence 'Secondary', and is available for you to explore.
This information has been gathered by someone else, hence 'Secondary', and is available for you to explore.
For example, if you watch a YouTube video that explains which microphones to use when recording drums, you can then apply that concept in the studio when conducting your experimental primary research.
For example, if you watch a YouTube video that explains which microphones to use when recording drums, you can then apply that concept in the studio when conducting your experimental primary research.
Secondary research might consist of watching video, reading articles and magazines, and listening to podcasts/radio shows.
Secondary research might consist of watching video, reading articles and magazines, and listening to podcasts/radio shows.
Secondary research is used to add authority to your line of enquiry - and quotes are a powerful tool to illustrate a point.
Secondary research is used to add authority to your line of enquiry - and quotes are a powerful tool to illustrate a point.
Example: [Genre Research Case Study]
Example: [Genre Research Case Study]
Dave Grohl has cited Metallica as the band he wants to perform with the most. Their approach to heavy metal is hard hitting and exciting, which is something he has always looked for in the music he likes.
Dave Grohl has cited Metallica as the band he wants to perform with the most. Their approach to heavy metal is hard hitting and exciting, which is something he has always looked for in the music he likes.
“I love Lars Ulrich. He’s always been a huge influence,” he said, “I bought the first Metallica record the month it came out. I am a die-hard fan, and you will have to pry their CDs from my cold dead hands.” (Maplethorpe,2025)
Bibliography
Bibliography
Maplethorpe, D. (2025) Dave Grohl’s five favourite bands of all time, Far Out Magazine. Available at: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/dave-grohls-five-favourite-bands/ (Accessed: 18 March 2025).
Task:
Task:
- Look through your secondary research.
- Find a topic that you could research further with Primary Research
- Decide on a suitable research method
- Come up with 5 questions or tests you could do to validate your findings.
Qualitative vs Quantitative Data Collection
Qualitative vs Quantitative Data Collection
Quantitative Data
Quantitative Data
This is numbers based, statistical data. It will provide factual information that can be measured.
This is numbers based, statistical data. It will provide factual information that can be measured.
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Data
This is data that doesn't consist of numbers or statistics. It might be opinions and ideas or feelings. The information will provide different perspectives on a particular concept.
This is data that doesn't consist of numbers or statistics. It might be opinions and ideas or feelings. The information will provide different perspectives on a particular concept.
For example
For example
A research project about a genre of music could use both Qualitative and Quantitative research methods.
A research project about a genre of music could use both Qualitative and Quantitative research methods.
Quantitative - research the number of people who listen to this genre on Spotify. Compare this to how many people listen to other genres, and you will have factual data about which is more popular.
Quantitative - research the number of people who listen to this genre on Spotify. Compare this to how many people listen to other genres, and you will have factual data about which is more popular.
Qualitative - interview someone who listens to this genre. Gather opinions and ideas about why it is popular.
Qualitative - interview someone who listens to this genre. Gather opinions and ideas about why it is popular.
Triangulation and Validity of Data
Triangulation and Validity of Data
Triangulation involves gathering data from multiple sources, in order to confirm its validity. Basically, it helps confirm whether the information is accurate!
Triangulation involves gathering data from multiple sources, in order to confirm its validity. Basically, it helps confirm whether the information is accurate!
For example...
For example...
- You may watch a YouTube video where someone explains how to tune a guitar.
- You might then read an article that also explains how to tune a guitar. If both of these sources say the same thing, you can be fairly confident that this is the right way to do it.
- To be even more certain, you could then ask a guitar teacher to show you how to tune a guitar. If he/she tunes the guitar in the same way as the above two sources, then you can be very confident that this is the best way to do it.
- THE DATA IS VALID!
Of course, there are grey areas. Each of the sources may say similar things, but might contain some differences in the process. In this case, you could add another source of research:
Of course, there are grey areas. Each of the sources may say similar things, but might contain some differences in the process. In this case, you could add another source of research:
CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT - TUNE A GUITAR AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHICH METHOD WORKS BEST.
CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT - TUNE A GUITAR AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHICH METHOD WORKS BEST.
Exploratory Research
Exploratory Research
Research 3 sources of information, relating to your project. These could be articles, videos, interviews etc...
Research 3 sources of information, relating to your project. These could be articles, videos, interviews etc...
In your blog, for each source, explain what you have found out.
In your blog, for each source, explain what you have found out.
Where you found the information (include URL)
What concepts have you discovered?
Any important terminology
Specific concepts you need to research in more depth
Be open minded, and don't make assumptions based on what you already know.
Be open minded, and don't make assumptions based on what you already know.
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