Evaluation is essential for research quality and development, but the diversity of traditions that characterize qualitative research suggests that general checklists or shared criteria for evaluation are problematic. We propose an approach to research evaluation that encourages reflexive dialogue through use of an evaluation agenda. In proposing an evaluation agenda we shift attention from rule-based judgment to reflexive dialogue. Unlike criteria, an agenda may embrace pluralism, and does not request consensus on ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues, only consensus on what themes warrant discussion. We suggest an evaluation agenda-EPICURE-with two dimensions communicated through use of two acronyms.The first, EPIC, refers to the challenge of producing rich and substantive accounts based on engagement, processing, interpretation, and (self-)critique. The second-CURE-refers to the challenge of dealing with preconditions and consequences of research, with a focus on (social) critique, usefulness, relevance, and ethics. The seven items of the composite agenda EPICURE are presented and exemplified. Features and implications of the agenda approach to research evaluation are then discussed.

El presente proyecto investigativo inició en abril del 2021 y finalizó en enero del 2022, buscando indagar si un proceso piloto de musicoterapia comunitaria podía aportar a la expresión y las relaciones interpersonales de jóvenes que se encontraban en el Sistema de Responsabilidad Penal para adolescentes en la modalidad de sanción de prestación de servicios a la comunidad, y con ello, potenciar su agenciamiento. El diseño metodológico estuvo fundamentado en la investigación acción participativa y la musicoterapia comunitaria, utilizando herramientas de recolección, análisis y seguimiento de datos apoyados en la teoría fundamentada, análisis temático, microanálisis y triangulación. Las categorías y conceptos aquí mencionados surgieron en conjunto con la comunidad. El proceso investigativo se desarrolló en cuatro etapas: (1) etapa de acercamiento a la comunidad, (2) etapa central y cierre, (3) etapa de seguimiento y (4) etapa de análisis de resultados. El proceso musicoterapéutico se desarrolló mediante las cuatro experiencias principales de la musicoterapia. En los resultados se encontró que se promovieron nuevas posibilidades de relacionarse y expresarse, reconocer la musicalidad y capacidad creativa, encontrarse en la música y entenderla como un puente de conexión, dando poder y fuerza a los recursos personales y grupales, voz en las decisiones del proceso, ampliando las posibilidades de acción y potenciando su agenciamiento, junto con la posibilidad de vivenciar su sanción de una forma distinta. Se encontró que la metodología usada es pertinente para este tipo de investigaciones y se sugiere continuar realizando trabajos con poblaciones similares, considerando los posibles alcances y limitaciones.

Objectives: Agitation in nursing home residents with dementia leads to increase in psychotropic medication, decrease in quality of life, and to patient distress and caregiver burden. Music therapy has previously been found effective in treatment of agitation in dementia care but studies have been methodologically insufficient. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of individual music therapy on agitation in persons with moderate/severe dementia living in nursing homes, and to explore its effect on psychotropic medication and quality of life. Method: In a crossover trial, 42 participants with dementia were randomized to a sequence of six weeks of individual music therapy and six weeks of standard care. Outcome measures included agitation, quality of life and medication. Results: Agitation disruptiveness increased during standard care and decreased during music therapy. The difference at −6.77 (95% CI (confidence interval): −12.71, −0.83) was significant (p = 0.027), with a medium effect size (0.50). The prescription of psychotropic medication increased significantly more often during standard care than during music therapy (p = 0.02). Conclusion: This study shows that six weeks of music therapy reduces agitation disruptiveness and prevents medication increases in people with dementia. The positive trends in relation to agitation frequency and quality of life call for further research with a larger sample.

Culture-Centered Music Therapy is a broad and developing orientation within the discipline and practice of music therapy that highlights how humans develop their capacities through participation in society, where culture operates as a resource for action. In other words, culture is seen as much more than an influence on human behavior; it is an integral element in human interaction and creativity. This chapter focuses on the difference between various notions of culture, and on the developments that have made culture-centered a contemporary force within music therapy thought. Three tenets of the orientation are presented here: (1) culture as a resource for self and society; (2) music as situated activity; and (3) music therapy as health musicking. Implications for practice, theory, and research are outlined along with a case example exploring aspects of how music therapy can create space for social-musical participation.