Music education research in Mexico. An exploratory-diagnostic study

Abstract

This article presents the results of a qualitative exploratory-diagnostic study, developed with the purpose of forging an overview of the current situation of music education research in Mexico from the perspective of six of its more notorious academics. Data collection was gathered through semi-structured interviews. The information collected indicates music education research in Mexico exhibits numerous areas of opportunity. According to the interviewees, the insufficient institutional support, the slow and complicated bureaucracy, the absence of flexibility in the schedule and the lack of balance concerning the academic load represent some of the challenges that impede its development. In this sense, they consider authorities must support research more decisively, implement strategies to hire committed and specialized academics, reduce bureaucratic procedures, improve the equilibrium of academic loads and foster the application of research generated knowledge in real contexts. According to informants, only by doing so there will be better chances to promote the generation of new knowledge to address social issues, to impulse the publication of high-impact products, as well as meeting institutional indicators of quality.