P & O

The article that I found is Guidelines on writing a research proposal. The beginning of the article it tells the reader what a research proposal does, and it says that a research proposal “specifies what you will do, how you will do it, and how you will interpret the result.” (McGranaghan). The article goes on to say that a strong proposal that clearly states what a writer plans on doing, how the writer plans to do it, and what the expected end result is will lead to a strong thesis that is easier to write because the writer already knows everything that he or she needs to write as well as lets the writer know the size of the project. From there the article says that the  “proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new contribution your work will make.” (McGranaghan). The article goes on to explain that the easiest research questions are those that are answered with plan-able observations. Also, it goes on to say that it is near impossible to say when these research projects are “done”. The article concludes with several models of research proposals.

McGranaghan , Matthew. “Guidelines on writing a research proposal “. 2-1-10 <http://www.palomar.edu/dsps/actc/mla/mlainternet.html>.

Link:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~matt/proposal.html

The article I chose was How to Make an Outline and I found it very helpful and clear. The article breaks down all the sections of an outline and explains how setting up an out line will help make writing a paper so much easier. Based on a rigid structure the outline, an outline organizes a writers thoughts and plans for the paper so that anyone could really write a paper based off of it and follow along. To make the outline the writer starts with identifying the topic then identifying the main categories with bulleted lists of sub categories. This type of organization before writing a paper helps speed up the writing process and help relieve some of the stress of approaching the daunting task of writing a research paper.

Link:

http://depts.washington.edu/psywc/handouts/pdf/outline.pdf

PROPOSAL

In this research project I have decided to explore how the lessening role of major music labels and the major music cooperation have effected independent artists in the music scene. I plan on doing this research in the form of a case study of one independent band as they deal with attempting to be heard by a large audience without the help of a major label. My paper will include interviews, not only with the band but with venues and also radio DJs to see how they decide what is being played on the radio. I come bearing several questions which include how much extra stress does finding venues outside of an artist’s home fan base create? How does this stress effect the artist as far as writing, practicing, and preforming? What means do artists use to release an album or demo without a major labels help? Where do unsigned bands record? How does this effect the songs them selves? How much stress does not having pressure from labels to have deadlines for albums and singles relieve? Could this result in apathy and laziness in writing new material? How has the internet made breaking into the music scene easier? What are the down sides? As the internet is becoming the more dominant medium in obtaining music does the decrease in CD sales by 36% from 2000 to 2004 have an effect? (Fox). Is this allowing for to much music to be made hence negating the point? Even though it is becoming easier to be “found” with a music labels help, is it worth it to do it on your own?

As the internet makes it easier for an artist to become heard or found by a larger and larger fan base with no regard to geographic location what effect does this shift mean to the independent artist? In the article “Copyright issues in internet music”  the author states that “The Internet is revolutionising how people access music. With fast broadbandconnections becoming commonplace, and artists and record labels now embracingthe Internet as a means of reaching new audiences, a huge repertoire of music is now within minutes’ or even seconds’ reach of many people.” (Harrower). I feel that this subject needs to be researched in order to inform musicians who are starting out and aren’t sure whether or not to sign with a label as soon as possible or not. Also, to inform anyone with an interest in the music industry and how it is changing.Does being labeled and independent album carry an astigmatism that a band will only be able to reach a certain audience like in the case where “Evanescence, in an apparent attempt to shed its Christian image and reach broader audiences, asked that its 2003 album Fallen be deleted from Billboard’s Top Christian Albums listing and not be sold at Christian retail stores? The album peaked at No. 3 on the ‘‘Billboard 200’’ and sold 3 million copies?” (Sernoe).

The purpose of this study is to explore the stresses and high points for an independent artist without the backing of a major music label in today’s musical landscape. These stresses could include more responsibility as far as scheduling tours, recording, public relations, releasing CDs, and managing money. These are just factors that occur should a music label accept you. A huge factor is also more fierce competition among independent musicians due to a decreasing allotment of space for new talent in already firmly established music labels.

Fox, Mark. “E-commerce Business Models for the Music Industry.”. Popular Music & Society June 2004: 201 -220.eview 2005: 483-488.

Harrower, Andy. “Copyright issues in internet music”. Contemporary Music R

Sernoe, Jim. ““Now We’re on the Top, Top of the Pops”: The Performance of “Non‐Mainstream” Music on Billboard ’s Albums Charts, 1981–2001.”. Popular Music & Society December 2005: 639-662.

OUTLINE

I. Introduction

A. What effect does the lessening role of major music labels have on independent artists?

B. Present studies on both sides

1. What are the stresses

1. What are the high points

II. Research “For stresses”

A. First study

1. Method

2. Results

3. Analysis of their conclusions

B. Second study “For Stresses”

1. Method

2. Results

3. Analysis of their conclusions

III. Research “For High Points”

A. Study

1. Method

2. Results

3. Analysis of their conclusions

B. Second study “For High Points”

1. Method

2. Results

3. Analysis of their conclusions

IV. Conclusion

1. wrap up