An analysis of qualitative music therapy research Reports1987-2006: Doctoral studies

This article is a comprehensive analysis of qualitative music therapy research studies undertaken for doctoral degrees and written in English. The review focuses on six areas: demographic information, report attributes, topic and focus, research methods and procedures, research findings, and evaluations of methodological information. Conclusions of the research include the judgment that the predominance of studies are methodologically sound although more attention can be paid to areas such as selection criteria, reflexivity, the evolution of the study, the choice of evaluation standards and procedures, illustrating data analysis, and acknowledging the presence and influence of dual relationships.