海角社区

• End of your first year (Ph.D.2): Outline a schedule to prepare for exams with supervisor(s) and finalize research topic.
• Fall of PhD3:
  • Finalize comprehensive bibliography and extended abstract.
  • By November 1: Notify graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: APS%20(Ph.D.) of intent to take the exams. An early submission might be considered upon discussion with the supervisors.
  • By November 15: Supervisor(s) submit comprehensive exams committee membership list to graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca.
  • By December 1: Submit to the APS supervisory committee the two components of the comprehensive exam proposal: a) an extended abstract, b) an annotated bibliography. Those should address the contextual, theoretical and methodological aspects of your proposed research topic.
    1. The extended abstract (c. 2,000 words) should include the proposed title of the research, an overview of the research topic, addressing its relevance, identifying key concepts, theoretical and methodological perspectives.
    2. The comprehensive annotated bibliography should include five annotated sources that provide the foundational literature for the research and a selection of 10-12 references on the main three key concepts, including sources relating to theoretical and methodological perspectives. (Total number of sources 30-40)

• Format requirements: The material should be typed, double-spaced, Arial 11pt and follow APA 7th referencing format.

  Winter PhD 3

• • By February 1: Committee send you the exam questions.
  • By April 1: Answers submitted to graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: APS%20(Ph.D.)) . Oral examination to be scheduled in May.

The written exam is intended to develop a broad, multidisciplinary perspective of your topic as well as to explore the a) contextual, b) theoretical, and c) methodological aspects of the proposed dissertation research topic. You will be asked to address 5 questions, chosen among 6 or 7.

1. Research Context. Questions will prompt you to situate your topic within the discipline, its relevance and purpose, the research problem as well as the population being studied and details on the context, as relevant.
2. Theoretical Background. Questions will prompt you to review the literature on key concepts central to your research, relevant theoretical frameworks and studies on your topic, as well as any gaps in knowledge.
3. Methodological Approaches. Questions will prompt you to provide a critical review of methodological approaches commonly used to study the research topic.

The total length of the written papers should be circa 15,000 words (40-60 pages). The exam is written over a two-month period. The papers should be typed, double-spaced, Arial 11pt, and each should include a reference list that follows APA 7th referencing guidelines. The word limit does not include References.

Duration: 90-120 minutes.

Structure: 30 minute oral presentation providing an overview of the main dissertation topic, followed by 30-60 minutes of questions by the committee.

Timeline: Typically takes place two to four weeks after the submission of the written examination.

Scope: Opportunity to elaborate, correct and enhance the content addressed in each paper through questions posed by the committee. Other questions based on related topics may assess breadth of domain-specific knowledge.

Begin preparing as early as possible and ensure you take opportunities to:Discuss your questions and literature review plan at regular meetings with supervisor(s)

• Prepare and defend mock questions
• Writing sample questions and answers
• Extensive reading
• Collaborate with other doctoral students who have completed, or are preparing for, their comprehensives.

The Examination Committee consists of:

• Three full-time staff members from the candidate's area of specialization
• One member from a different area within the Department or 海角社区 as relevant to the thesis research area
• The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in Music, or an appointed representative, serves as Chair.

• Williamon, A., Ginsborg, J., Perkins, R., & Waddell, G. (2021). Performing music research: Methods in music education, psychology, and performance science. Oxford University Press.
• McPherson, G. (Ed.). (2022). The Oxford Handbook of Music Performance, Volume 1 and 2. Oxford University Press.

Topics in performance science are often published in the following peer-reviewed journals: Frontiers in Psychology, Music Education Research, Psychology of Music, British Journal of Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Musicae Scientiae, Medical Problems of Performing Artists.