2.1. Research Model
A “pretest-posttest control group test model” has been used. There are two randomly assigned groups in pretestposttest
control group test model. Both groups are subject to measurements before and after the experiment
(Karasar, 2008).
During the application phase, music education applications were performed by using the prepared repertory by
the researcher once a week for twelve months; during the posttest phase, after the 12 week application phase,
necessary observations were made by the specialists by using the same evaluation instrument used in the pretest.
2.1.1. Preparation to experimental process
For the use of music education during preschool period which has become the topic of the study, specialists’
opinions were taken, and the instrument that would be used in during the pretest-posttest phase of the study with
respect to specified aims and attainments was prepared. The repertory which will be used in the application phase of
the study was prepared according to specialists’ views, the concepts and special occasions stated in the curriculum
sample, by taking Turkish language features and prosody where children’s language and musical developments are
of primary importance within the boundaries of targeted age group into consideration. The activities taking part in
music education such as breathing and relaxation trainings, language and speaking practices, emulation trainings,
hearing practices which are parts of voice training were chosen by taking children’s developmental features into
account according to the prepared repertory. Before the application phase, a pretest was applied to the sample group,
and the researcher and a field specialist filled out the forms by making necessary evaluations.
2.1.2. Application
During the application process, educational activities planned in the preparation phase were applied. Activities
were maximum 35 minutes long in accordance with the 30-35 minutes of music activity time, as stated in preschool
education curriculum, for 6 year old preschool children. When the experimental phase of the study was over, the
researcher and a field specialist made the necessary assessments in the posttest phase again with the evaluation
instrument.
2.2. Research population and sample
Research population is 6-year-old children attending public schools located in Bursa and administered by the
Ministry of Education in 2011-2012 educational year. One of two nursery classes taking part in the study at this age
group was experimental group and the other was the control group.
2.3. The assessment and evaluation instrument of musical skill
The assessment and evaluation instrument of musical skill was prepared by the researcher so as to determine the
children’s music education skills before and after the education process and five point Likert scale was used. Items
in the evaluation instruments were given to 3 faculty members in the department of Music Education separately,
after the items which required correction and elimination were reviewed, the instrument was made ready to be used.
The reliability coefficient of Musical Skill Evaluation Instrument was appointed as .70. this coefficient indicates that
the instrument is reliable (Buyukozturk, 2007).