A SCOPING REVIEW OF CREATIVE RESEARCH AMONG WESTERN MUSIC STUDENTS AT CHANDRAKASEM RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Creative research is a process of generating new knowledge in the arts through creative practice as a key method. It has been established as one of the standard learning processes in undergraduate-level art curricula. The Bachelor of Music program in Western Music at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University has continuously implemented creative music research as part of its curriculum. The program focuses on knowledge and experience that students have developed from the course of their studies and gives them an opportunity to freely create their work and publish it. As a result, a large number of student creative music research projects have been produced. Conducting a systematic analysis of the existing research using a scoping review approach allows for the mapping of the knowledge landscape and identification of research gaps, which can serve as a foundation for clearer and more effective educational processes. The aim of this study is therefore to conduct a scoping review of creative research in music conducted by Western Music students at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University.

Methods: This research was a descriptive study employing the scoping review methodology, following the steps: identifying relevant studies, analyzing the studies, organizing the data, and comparing and synthesizing the findings. A total of 348 qualified studies from the academic years 2015-2024 (B.E. 2558-2567) were selected. The research instrument was a document analysis record form. Data collection involved recording document files in electronic format for analytical reading based on the specified issues. Data analysis techniques include content analysis, thematic analysis, and frequency counting and distribution.

Results: The findings revealed six key themes: 1) Most works primarily focused on composing and publishing musical pieces. Secondary goals included telling stories, conveying personal emotions, blending or preserving cultural elements, analyzing musical ideas, and developing innovative technologies; 2) The most common keywords related to technology, music styles, and techniques. Gaps in the research included areas such as health and psychology, sound theory and art, virtual media technology, contemporary music, and environmental or soundscape studies; 3) Main sources of inspiration included personal life experiences and emotions, reference artists and musical styles, and pop culture media. Alternative inspirations included sound design and innovation, environment, nature and travel, culture, local traditions, and history, society, well-being and psychology, mythology, religion, fantasy, and war; 4) Primary concepts and theories included music technology and sound design, contemporary harmony, scale and modal theory, complex rhythms and time signatures, instrumental techniques, and methods of musical composition; 5) Key creative processes included music production, sound design, mixing and mastering, composing melody, chords, and song structure, live performance, multimedia video presentation, and using music technology tools; 6) The main musical forms included verse–chorus, progressive forms, through-composed forms, and strophic forms.

Conclusions: The scoping review highlights students’ key interests in applying music technology, fusion and contemporary music characterized by diverse integration and experimentation, and film score, media music, and experimental music. The findings support recommendations for developing course content and curricula that align with student aspirations for advanced studies. Additionally, the findings identified gaps in both research focus and methodology, especially the need to clarify and strengthen research objectives, enhance analytical approaches to support the creative process, document procedures more clearly and systematically, and adopt more challenging theoretical frameworks and musical forms. These findings contribute to recommendations for improving instruction and advancing creative research at the graduate level to better address these gaps.