4- Part Course - Singing For Health: An Introduction To Quantitative Methods

This event is part of our fundraising series for the Singing for Health Network.

A Singing For Health Network membership is required to attend this course.

This course will introduce central concepts in research design, measurement, sampling, and statistical analysis underpinning quantitative methods in research on singing for health.

We will consider examples of survey methods, observational pre-post studies and controlled trials on singing and health, and the approaches adopted in data gathering and analysis.

Students will be supported in undertaking critical assessments of selected quantitative research studies on singing and health.

We will also work through exercises in the statistical treatment of quantitative data to answer research questions and test hypotheses.

Session 1

The nature of singing and a suggested logic model of singing for health. The need critical appraisal of research studies and the role of evidence reviews. Survey methods in singing for health research. An introduction to random sampling and statistical inference.  Primary and secondary qualities. Levels of measurement and the analysis of categorical data using the chi-squared test.

Session 2

Singing for mental health. Examination of primary qualitative and quantitative studies. Systematic reviews of research on singing and mental wellbeing. Observational pre-test post-test studies. Use of standardized measures that give ordinal data on mental wellbeing and mental distress. Analysis of ordinal data using non-parametric statistical tests.

Session 3

Singing for better breathing.  Examination of primary qualitative and quantitative studies.  Systematic and Cochrane reviews of research on singing and lung disease. Use of objective measures of lung function that give interval/ratio data.  Analysis of objective measurements using parametric tests.

Session 4

Randomised controlled trials on singing and health. Critical appraisal of examples singing for health trials. Issues in the standardization of singing programmes and the nature of control groups.  Use of the CONSORT statement and registration of trials. Statistical analysis and interpretation of trial data. Value of embedded qualitative studies within controlled trials.