Handbook of the Society for Research in Music Education (SRME)

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Handbook of the Society for Research in Music Education (SRME)

This document was originally compiled in August 1993 by Judith Jellison, Chair of MENC's Society for Research in Music Education (SRME) from 1990 to 1992, and the 1990“1992 Executive Committee of Music Education Research Council (MERC): Anthony Barresi, Terry Gates, Harriet Hair, George Heller, Jere Humphreys, Terry Kuhn, Myra Staum, and Cornelia Yarbrough. The version of the SRME Handbook printed in this issue contains revisions approved August 2004 by Alice-Ann Darrow, SRME Chair, 2002“2004, and the 2002“2004 MERC Executive Committee: Martin Bergee, Patricia Shehan Campbell, Jane Cassidy, Don Coffman, Randy Moore, Harry Price, Joanne Rutkowski, and David Wolfe. Martin Bergee served as corresponding author. Copyright © 2004 by MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOCIETY

Founded in 1960, the Society for Research in Music Education (SRME) is composed of members of MENC: The National Association for Music Education who share concerns about the processes, products, and applications of research in music education. It facilitates organized collective actions, a broad base of support, and communication among people interested in research in music education. Membership in the Society is defined in Bylaw I, Section 8A of the MENC Constitution and Bylaws, as revised in June 2003:

Society for Research in Music Education. A member in any category of membership listed above [in the MENC Bylaws] who shall pay the additional dues stipulated for membership in the Society for Research in Music Education shall become a member of the Society and shall receive a subscription to the Journal of Research in Music Education.
The Society for Research in Music Education is formally authorized to function in Bylaw VII: Society for Research in Music Education, Section I of the MENC Constitution and Bylaws (June 2003 revision).

Section 1: Personnel, Purpose, and Meetings. The Society for Research in Music Education shall be composed of all members of the Conference who have paid the dues stipulated for the Society. It shall be the purpose of the Society to encourage and improve the quality of scholarship and research within the profession. The Society shall convene at the time and place of the national in-service conference, and the Division sections of the Society shall meet at the time and place of the Division in-service conferences. The principal publication of the Society shall be the Journal of Research in Music Education.
Any MENC member may become a member of the Society.

PURPOSES OF THE SOCIETY

As stated in to Bylaw VII, Section I above, the objective of the Society is "to encourage and improve the quality of scholarship and research within the profession." Specifically, the Society seeks to:

Encourage research activity and improve research in music education as well as in fields related to music education;
Provide an effective framework for the exchange of information among people engaged in or interested in research in music education;
Sponsor sessions at professional meetings devoted to reports of research studies and other relevant topics;
Oversee and advise MENC on research-related publications; and
Foster and develop efforts that seek to apply research findings to the practice of teaching and learning.
THE MUSIC EDUCATION RESEARCH COUNCIL

The governing body of the Society for Research in Music Education is the Music Education Research Council (MERC), acting through its Executive Committee. The authorization for MERC is contained in Bylaw VII, Section 2 of MENC's Constitution and Bylaws (June 2003 revision), which states:

Section 2. Music Education Research Council. The Music Education Research Council shall consist of an Executive Committee, Chairs of Special Research Interest Groups of the Society, the Editorial Committee of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and the State Research Chairs. The Council shall convene at the time and place of the national in-service conference. The purpose of the Council shall be to advise the Executive Committee and assist the Society in achieving its goals. Each State Research Chair shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the president of the federated state association.
A recent additions to MERC not included in the above bylaw is the Editorial Committee of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education (by action of the National Executive Board of MENC at its November 1992 meeting).

Executive Committee, Music Education Research Council

The authorization for an Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council is found in Bylaw VII, Section 3 of MENC's Constitution and Bylaws (June 2003 revision), which states:

Section 3. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council shall consist of nine members elected for six- year terms. The Executive Committee shall consist of one member from each of the six Divisions and three members-at-large. The six members representing Divisions shall also serve as Division Research Chairs. The three members-at-large may represent special research or scholarly interest groups. Two Division Chairs and one member-at-large shall be elected each biennium. On or before May 1 of each even-numbered year, the Executive Committee of the Music Research Education Council shall present to the National Executive Board two nominations for each forthcoming vacancy. The National Executive Board shall elect the three new members from this slate of nominees, said members to take office at the beginning of the ensuing fiscal year. Retiring members of the Executive Committee may not be reelected until two years have elapsed since their last term of office. In the event that an Executive Committee position becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall submit two appropriate nominations to the National Executive Board. The National Executive Board shall elect a person from that slate of nominees to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. Each biennium, concurrent with the term of office of the National President of the Conference, the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council shall elect from its own membership a Chair who shall be the chief executive officer of the Executive Committee and the Music Education Research Council. The Executive Committee shall also elect a secretary and any other officers it deems necessary.
At each MENC biennial national conference, the Executive Committee will designate a Chair-elect, who will serve as program chair for the following conference. It should be noted that the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council also functions as the Chair of the Society for Research in Music Education.

Qualifications of Executive Committee Members

In order to function in a leadership role in the Society for Research in Music Education, members of the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria.

Required qualifications:

Be a member of the Society for Research in Music Education at the time of initial nomination;
Present a record of continuing publication of research reports and articles, to include articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education or other refereed professional journals of comparable prominence;
If elected, resign any other MENC national leadership post currently held, including memberships on Editorial or Executive Committees; and
Abide by the MERC interregnum policy: No retiring member of the JRME or Update Editorial Committees or MERC Executive Committee who served a full term may be nominated for membership on the MERC Executive Committee until two years have elapsed.
Optional but desirable qualifications:

Possess an earned doctorate in music education or music;
Have experience in guiding graduate research projects, particularly doctoral-level research, gained as a faculty member at a graduate-degree-granting institution;
Provide evidence of involvement in research activities of MENC at the state, Divisional, or national level; and
Regularly attend MENC national and Divisional conferences.
When any member of the Executive Committee serving as a Divisional representative moves to another Division, that member shall submit a letter of resignation from the Executive Committee to the Chair of the Executive Committee. The Chair is authorized to request such resignation if it is not submitted in a timely manner. The Chair may declare the position vacant without majority approval of the Executive Committee. Any person elected to fill a vacated position on the Executive Committee may, provided that the term of said vacated position does not exceed three years, be renominated for a full six-year term.

Any member of the Society for Research in Music Education may place a name in nomination by submitting it to the Chair of the Executive Committee. Before conducting the biennial elections, the Chair will prepare a formal call for nominations detailing the qualifications for office specified in this handbook, and will send a copy of the call to each member of the Music Education Research Council. Each Special Research Interest Group will be asked to publish the call for nominations in its newsletter or by other means. The Chair will submit the formal call for publication to appropriate MENC publications. Each nomination must comply in all respects with the call for nominations sent by the Chair to the members of the Music Education Research Council. An adequate number of resume copies must be provided for review by the Executive Committee, and the submitted resumes must clearly provide the information needed to evaluate the nominee's qualifications.

Duties of the MERC Executive Committee

The primary role of the Executive Committee is to provide leadership, guidance, and communications with respect to research in music education. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include the following:
Serve as the governing body of the Society and implement the purposes of the Society;
Advise the President, the National Executive Board, the Publications Planning Committee, or any other committee or unit of MENC in matters relating to research in music education;
Organize and administer a suitable variety of research sessions at national conferences of MENC;
Coordinate the work of the Divisional and state research Chairs;
Cooperate, individually or collectively, with agencies or organizations undertaking research projects in music education”but it shall not be the duty of the Music Education Research Council to carry out specific research projects;
Cooperate with the Curator of the MENC Historical Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, in developing the holdings of the Center and in any other matters concerning the Center;
Function as a source of information, coordination, and communication in all matters affecting research in music education nationally, and internationally;
Oversee and advise MENC on research-related publications and projects;
Sponsor publication of the Journal of Research in Music Education and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education and oversee the general direction of these journals in cooperation with the Editorial Committees and the Editors;
Oversee the work of the Special Research Interest Groups, such oversight to include authorizing the creation of new Groups, reviewing the viability of existing ones, sponsoring sessions at the biennial national conference, assuring continuity in the governance of the Groups, requiring the Groups to pursue viable missions that do not conflict with other Groups, and decertifying or dissolving Groups that have become inactive or that fail to contribute to the good of the Society in the judgment of the MERC Executive Committee; and
Through a designated Web liaison, work with MENC to develop and maintain a presence on the MENC Web site for all matters related to SRME and to music education research.
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION

The Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME) is the flagship publication of the Society for Research in Music Education and is sent to all members of the Society. The JRME contains reports of research and serves as a means for disseminating information of general interest to the Society. MENC's Bylaws (Bylaw 12, Section 2, June 2003 revision) determine the composition of the JRME Editorial Committee.

Section 2. Editorial Committee of the Journal of Research in Music Education. The Editorial Committee of the Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME) shall consist of eighteen members, including an editor, who shall be elected by the National Executive Board from a slate of two nominees [for each vacancy] submitted by the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council. The editor shall serve as Chair of the Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to supervise the publication of the JRME and to review the manuscripts submitted for publication. The term of office of each member shall be six years. Retiring members of the Committee may not be reappointed until two years have elapsed since the end of their terms, unless that reappointment be as editor. On or before May 1 of each even- numbered year, the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council shall present a slate of twelve MENC members to the National Executive Board. The National Executive Board shall elect six members from this slate of nominees, said members to take office at the beginning of the ensuing fiscal year.
By action of the National Executive Board in August 1970, the Editorial Committee of the JRME answers to the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council.

Appointment of the JRME Editorial Committee Members

Before submitting a slate of qualified candidates for membership on the JRME Editorial Committee, the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council will seek and consider the advice of the Editor and the current Editorial Committee. This will be done by asking the current Editorial Committee to rank the candidates who have been nominated for consideration, with the ranking carried out via written, anonymous ballot. The Chair of the Executive Committee will call upon the Editor to offer advice to the Executive Committee. The Editor may offer this advice verbally or in writing, or the Editor may choose not to offer advice.

The primary responsibility of members of the JRME Editorial Committee is the critical review and evaluation of manuscripts submitted for publication. In order to function well in this role, members will be selected according to the following criteria.

Required qualifications:

Be a member of the Society for Research in Music Education at the time of initial nomination;
Present a record of publication of research reports and articles, to include articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education and other refereed professional journals of comparable prominence;
If elected, resign any other MENC national leadership post currently held, including memberships on Editorial or Executive Committees; and
Abide by the MERC interregnum policy: No retiring member of the MERC Executive Committee who served a full term may be nominated for the JRME Editorial Committee until two years have elapsed, and no retiring member of the JRME Editorial Committee who served a full term may be nominated for the Update Editorial Committee until two years have elapsed.
Optional but desirable qualifications:

Update: Applications of Research in Music Education is an official publication of MENC under the auspices of the Society for Research in Music Education. Available to all MENC members, Update contains articles that emphasize the interpretation and application of research findings in music education. Update serves as a bridge between researchers and practitioners. Its purpose is to provide music teachers with the findings of research in an easily readable form. The Editorial Committee of Update shall consist of 11 members, including an Editor, who shall be elected by the National Executive Board from a slate submitted by the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council. There will be two Editorial Committee members for each of the following divisions: elementary, general music, instrumental, choral, and special topics. Each pair must include a researcher and a practitioner. The Editor shall serve as Chair of the Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to supervise the publication of Update and to review the manuscripts submitted for publication. The term of office of each member shall be six years. Retiring members of the Committee may not be reappointed to either the JRME or Update Editorial Committees until two years have elapsed since the end of their terms, unless that reappointment be as Editor. On or before May 1 of each even-numbered year, the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council shall present a slate of MENC members to the National Executive Board. The National Executive Board shall elect members from the slate of two nominees per position on the following rotating biennial schedule: four, three, and four members. These members will take office upon formal appointment by the National Executive Board at its summer meeting.

Appointment of Update Editorial Committee Members

Before submitting a slate of qualified candidates for membership on the Update Editorial Committee, the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council will seek and consider the advice of the current Editor and Editorial Committee. This will be done by asking the Editorial Committee to rank the candidates who have been nominated for consideration, with the ranking carried out via written, anonymous ballot. The Chair of the Executive Committee will call upon the Editor to offer advice to the Executive Committee. The Editor may offer this advice verbally or in writing, or the Editor may choose not to offer advice.

The primary responsibility of members of the Update Editorial Committee is the critical review and evaluation of manuscripts submitted for publication. In order to function well in this role, members will be selected according to the following criteria.

Required qualifications for researchers:

Be a member of the Society for Research in Music Education at the time of initial nomination;
Present a record of publication of research reports and articles, to include articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, or other refereed professional journals of comparable prominence;
If elected, resign any other MENC national leadership post currently held, including memberships on Editorial or Executive Committees; and
Abide by the MERC interregnum policy: No retiring member of the MERC Executive Committee who served a full term may be nominated for the Update Editorial Committee until two years have elapsed.
Optional but desirable qualifications for researchers:

Have experience in guiding graduate research projects, particularly doctoral level research, gained as a faculty member at a graduate-degree-granting institution.
Required qualifications for practitioners and researchers:

Present a record of three years' full-time teaching at the elementary or secondary level;
Provide evidence of continuing interest and involvement in teaching and research that clearly establishes an area of expertise;
Contribute toward representation of a cross-section of MENC in terms of geographic region and research interest; and
Regularly attend the MENC biennial national conferences.
Optional but desirable qualifications for practitioners and researchers:
Possess an earned doctorate in music education or music.
SPECIAL RESEARCH INTEREST GROUPS

Establishment and Purpose of the Special Research Interest Groups

The Special Research Interest Groups (SRIGs) were established by action of the Executive Committee of the Music Education Research Council at the biennial national conference held in Chicago in 1978. The purposes of the SRIGs are to (a) broaden the base of support for research in MENC by actively involving different and younger people in the activities of SRME, (b) provide a focal point for research specialties both for research specialists and for teacher practitioners, ( c) provide a continuing source of qualified leadership for SRME, and (d) provide a vehicle for engagement among researchers with similar scholarly interests. Each biennium, the MERC Executive Committee Chair will designate a member of the Executive Committee to serve as liaison to the Special Interest Research Groups.

Membership in Special Research Interest Groups

Members of the Society for Research in Music Education may join any SRIG. SRIG members may participate in the election of SRIG officers and receive SRIG newsletters and other correspondence.

Creation of New Special Research Interest Groups

A new Special Research Interest Group may be proposed by any member of SRME by means of the following procedure.

Draft a written petition proposing a unique mission for the proposed SRIG. Circulate it to interested parties and obtain the signatures of at least 15 SRME members from at least three MENC Divisions. Those who sign must agree to join the new SRIG if it is approved.
Submit the signed petition to the MERC Executive Committee Chair, who will schedule an organizational meeting for the proposed SRIG at the next MENC biennial national conference. If the proposed mission appears to conflict with that of existing SRIGs, the MERC Executive Committee Chair will ask the proposed SRIG's proponents to develop a uniquely focused mission statement. In all cases, the SRIG proponents will ratify a final mission statement at their organizational meeting. This will be signed by the organizers present and submitted to the MERC Executive Committee. The organizers will identify people to serve as Chair and Chair-elect of the SRIG if it is approved.
The MERC Executive Committee will review the final mission statement of the proposed SRIG and determine approval or disapproval by majority vote. Criteria for approval will be the uniqueness of mission and breadth of support by the proposing membership. If a proposal is not approved, the MERC Executive Committee will make an effort to accommodate the proposed SRIG's research interests within one or more of the existing SRIGs.
Review and Evaluation of Special Research Interest Groups

The MERC Executive Committee will review the SRIGs at each biennial national conference. Each SRIG Chair will report on the SRIG's activities as requested by the MERC Executive Committee's SRIG Liaison prior to the conference. The Liaison will review the reports and summarize each SRIG's activities in a report to the MERC Executive Committee, which will review and evaluate the SRIGs according to the following criteria.

The Mission Statement continues to be unique and to describe the SRIG's activities.
Research activities generated by the SRIG are appropriate to the mission and are conducted with full knowledge and support of the MERC Executive Committee Chair and SRIG Liaison.
Research projects or reports generated by the SRIG meet suitable methodological standards.
Research activities sponsored or endorsed by the SRIG reflect activities in three or more MENC Divisions.
National SRIG meetings are attended by 15 or more people, and the program is appropriate to the mission of the SRIG.
Newsletter(s) or other forms of communication are sent at least yearly to SRIG members and to MERC Executive Committee members.
Response to assignments and inquiries from the MERC Executive Committee Chair, the SRIG Liaison, or conference program organizers regarding the program and other activities is timely and appropriate.
Deactivation of Special Research Interest Groups

A SRIG may be deactivated by majority vote of the MERC Executive Committee for (a) failure to maintain a Chair and Chair-elect whose names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses have been reported to the SRIG liaison, (b) failure to present evidence of SRIG activity beyond that of its Chair for a period of at least one biennium, or (c) failure to respond in a timely manner to correspondence from the MERC Executive Committee Chair or his or her designee. The MERC Executive Committee Chair shall have authority to initiate deactivation proceedings for a SRIG if any of the above conditions have developed. A SRIG may be deactivated by majority vote of the MERC Executive Committee, a vote that may be taken by mail or at the biennial national conference. A deactivated SRIG will be dropped from the list of approved SRIGs and denied any request for meeting time and the opportunity to propose sessions at future national conferences. A SRIG may appeal its deactivation to the MERC Executive Committee by its representatives appearing before the Executive Committee at the subsequent biennial national conference and presenting reasons why it should not be deactivated. The appeal will be accepted or denied by majority vote of the Executive Committee. In order to be reinstated, a deactivated SRIG must follow the same procedure required to organize a new SRIG.

Membership of a SRIG may seek its deactivation after (a) the Chair of the SRIG announces discussion of possible deactivation to its membership at least six months prior to the biennial national meeting; (b) a majority of the membership present at the biennial meeting votes for deactivation; ( c) a letter announcing the results of the deactivation vote and a formal request for deactivation is submitted to the MERC Executive Committee Chair; and (d) a discussion of the deactivation request is held at the next biennial meeting of the MERC Executive Committee, and a majority vote for deactivation is obtained. Any SRIG member wishing to attend this discussion or speak to the proposed deactivation will be given time upon written request to the MERC Executive Committee Chair.

Governance of the Special Research Interest Groups

At each MENC biennial national conference, the SRIG will elect a Chair, Chair-elect, and any other officers by procedures agreed upon by the SRIG membership. Duties of the SRIG Chairs are found below. Each SRIG will determine its other officers' duties. The term of office will be two years, beginning on July 1 of each even- numbered year. The offices of Chair and Chair-elect must be filled at all times, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of both officers must be reported to the MERC Executive Committee Chair or to his or her designee. Failure to maintain these offices and to report officers' names to MERC will be grounds for deactivation of the SRIG.

If the office of SRIG Chair becomes vacant during a biennium, the currently serving Chair-elect will become Chair. If the office of SRIG Chair-elect becomes vacant during a biennium, the SRIG Chair will appoint a Chair-elect to serve until the next regular election.

SRIG Chairs and Chairs-elect must be current members of SRME and should possess the following qualifications:

Present a record of interest and involvement in that particular SRIG;
Be actively involved in research activity; and
Attend the MENC biennial national conferences.
Duties of the SRIG National Chairs

Respond to queries and file appropriate reports with the MERC Executive Committee Chair or his or her designee;
Maintain an accurate and current roster of SRIG memberships with mailing and e-mail addresses, and supply a copy of this roster on request to the MERC Executive Committee Chair or his or her designee;
Oversee SRIG sessions at the biennial national conferences;
Appoint Divisional SRIG Chairs, or oversee their election;
Communicate through a national newsletter or by other means with the SRIG membership at least yearly, and at least once between the biennial national conferences;
Represent the SRIG to MERC;
Review paper submissions if requested by the MERC Executive Committee Chair;
Respond to inquiries from potential new members; and
Provide leadership for the planning and execution of activities at the biennial national conferences.
Duties of the SRIG Divisional Chairs

As specified above, each SRIG national Chair will appoint Divisional SRIG Chairs or will oversee their election. Duties of the Divisional SRIG Chairs follow.

Recruit SRIG members from people who do not attend the biennial national conferences;
Inform Divisional and state MENC officers and Research Chairs of the SRIG's existence, and plan SRIG participation in research activities when appropriate;
Respond to inquiries about the SRIG;
Promote research and development activity within the Division and assist the State Research Chairs in such efforts;
Encourage interdivisional research activity through communication with other Divisional SRIG Chairs;
Report on Divisional SRIG activity during national SRIG sessions;
Work with MENC Divisional officers to plan and oversee research activities at Divisional MENC conferences.
THE DIVISIONS OF THE SOCIETY

The members of the Society within each MENC Division constitute a Division of the Society. Each Division functions on behalf of and in the name of the Society for Research in Music Education.

Divisional Organization

Each MERC Divisional representative serves as his or her Divisional Research Chair, who coordinates the efforts of the Division with the assistance of the Divisional Research Committee (composed of State Research Chairs). The Divisional Research Chair may appoint an alternative committee member should a State Chair be unable to serve.

The duties of the Divisional Research Chair include (a) coordinating activities among the states within the Division and disseminating information among State Research Chairs, (b) transmitting relevant Divisional materials to the MENC Historical Center and assisting the Center in its search for holdings, ( c) coordinating research sessions at Divisional meetings, and (d) serving as liaison between the Society and Divisional presidents and presidents-elect.

Functions of the Divisions

The functions of the Society's Divisions make possible coordination of research activities within the Division, communication among the Division's personnel, and dissemination of research findings. The most common activity is the sponsoring and organizing of research sessions at Divisional meetings. The particular concern of these sessions is to disseminate research findings and other scholarly efforts and to generate discussion about research. These sessions may be designed to involve graduate students and state supervisors of music, and to provide potential venues for meetings of State Research Chairs. It is crucial for the Divisional Research Chair to maintain active channels of communication with the Divisional president and president-elect.

THE STATE UNITS OF THE SOCIETY

Members of the state units within MENC constitute an entity within the Society. Each state unit functions on behalf of and in the name of the Society for Research in Music Education.

State Unit Organizations

A state unit is coordinated by a State Research Chair, who might be assisted by a State Research Committee. Often, the State Research Chair is appointed by the State President, and the Chair's term of office coincides with that of the President. Some states use other methods of appointment, however, and there are differing practices concerning the term of office. In some states, constitutional provision has established the office of State Research Chair.

Qualifications of the State Research Chairs

Qualifications to be considered for a State Research Chair are:

Experience in conducting or supervising music education research;
Awareness of, and a continuing interest in, the significant research activities in music education;
Familiarity with the individuals in that state who are engaged in research; and
A record of attendance at MENC national biennial national conferences.

Duties of the State Research Chairs

State Research Chair duties vary according to the needs and activities of that state. These duties typically include:

Identifying individuals or groups interested or active in conducting music education research;
Soliciting information from the above groups about current research activities or interests, and disseminating such information to interested people and to the state music educators association membership;
Providing assistance to individuals, groups, and the state association membership in matters concerning music education research;
Designing, organizing, and coordinating the research sessions at state association meetings;
Serving as a contact between the state association membership, the appropriate Divisional Research Chair, and the MERC Executive Committee Chair; and
In those states where the association constitution designates the State Research Chair as a member of the state association executive board, serving on said board and carrying out duties as assigned by that board.

Functions of the State Units

The primary function of a state unit is to serve the needs of the state members of the Society and the state association. In fulfilling those needs, state units may undertake a variety of tasks, such as promoting and conducting research, sponsoring state research journals, writing a research column for the state journal, disseminating information to state association committees, and sponsoring research sessions at state conventions.