A seminar on music research in higher education and the flipped classroom: An action research project

Introduction. The compulsory Seminars on Music Research I and II in the Bachelor of Music degree of the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (UAA) have the purpose of initiating students in the field of research; However, the methods instructors employed to engage students and encourage their active participation in class activities and assignments have not entirely met expectations. Researchers implemented the Flipped Classroom (FC) to find alternative ways of teaching and helping students approach music research methods more effectively. Goal. The main aim of the research was to explore the feasibility of FC implementation in the music research seminar and the benefits and challenges for both instructors and students. Methodology. The methodology used was action research, and the main data collection tools were the field diary, the non-participant and participant, as well as the critical friend’s observations and comments. To evaluate the complete intervention and the achievement of its goals, researchers designed an ad hoc survey. Results. The FC approach allowed students to deeply understand the methods and tools of research in music, exchange ideas and queries, and establish a cooperative environment among students and the instructor. The most outstanding outcome was represented by the students' perceptions, who felt they had the opportunity to organize their time and work at their own pace. Conclusion. The FC proved to be a beneficial approach to promote the students’ interest in the class, cultivate their skills in music research, and stimulate their metacognition.