Published Research in Music Therapy, 1973-1978: Content, Focus, and Implications for Future Research

The purpose of this study was to analyze research published in the Journal of Music Therapy throughout the past 6 years, to describe the content and focus of research in music therapy, and to draw implications for needed research in the field. Categories established for this analysis include: general emphasis of the paper; setting for research; mode of inquiry; basis for research; and type of clientele. Data resulting from this categorization indicated: a continued decline in the total number of articles published per year; an increase in research emphasis combined with a balance between clinical and university settings for research; an increase in the proportion of descriptive and experimental research; an increase in the proportion of studies focusing upon pedagogical and physical/perceptual bases for music research; and an increasing number of studies focusing on mentally retarded clients, university students, and normal children.