Researching music early learning and development: mapping methods and techniques, locations, problems, and theories

This chapter draws on a review of 231 articles published in sixteen anglophone music early development and care research journals in order to map contemporary approaches to research in this field (methods and techniques), the locations where research occurs, the problems leading investigations, and the theories underpinning these. Findings reveal that the methods and techniques are spread evenly between qualitative and quantitative approaches in music education, music psychology, and community music, with some minor differences in music therapy; that investigations are primarily clustered in the US and UK, as well as clear representation from Europe, the Middle East, Australasia, and South America; and that investigations of the instrumental purposes of music predominate. Further investigation is warranted to understand the experience of children and their families across the majority-world and the implications of these for our understanding of the nature and significance of music in early life and learning.