RESEARCH TRAINING FOR PRACTITIONERS B - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module seeks to advance the understanding of practice-led research via collaborative music making.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

ARMSTRONG Thomas (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

JACs code: W390

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Research Training for Practitioners A

Module content

 The following is an indication of the likely content of the module:

• Explanation of the module requirements (including detailed guidance on each aspect of assessment).


• Group discussion and analysis of musical and personal strengths and weaknesses.


• Guidance on how to initiate, research, and develop ideas collaboratively (including the use of social media), and document them.


• Presentations of ideas, work-in-progress, research content and methods.


• Group-based review, discussion and development of ideas.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

UoA 1: use earlier blog posts supplemented with theoretical content if needed (see assessment strategy below) UoA 2: 2000 word essay on collaboration drawing on experiences within project if possible

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to document, reflect on and evaluate their creative work and to collaboratively realise a practical outcome to a high standard. 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A project blog of which the final 1000-word post (written after presentation of the practical work) constitutes the assessment


• A practical output of any kind and in any medium that has been devised and, if relevant, presented collaboratively.

• Work in progress showings in week 7 allow for both peer and lecturer feedback


• Regular class discussion of practical work and blogs

• University-standard feedback is provided on the final blog post and the practical output.

Module aims

• Gain insight into collaborative practice.
• Develop skills in collaborative practice.
• Foster a deeper understanding of research methods relevant to your specialism.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide students with selected theory on collaboration and creativity which they can underpin their work and from which they can explore further LO1-2, 6


• Provide students with facilitated time in which they can collaborate and develop ideas LO2-4


• Allow students to learn from their peers LO5

• Plenary sessions


• Lectures


• Workshops


• Student Presentations


• Class Discussion


• Preparing a musical event

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for RESEARCH TRAINING FOR PRACTITIONERS B : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/musm049

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.