Entry 4 Draft 3

So far, gathering all my research and collecting my thoughts on everything, I still think that classical and soothing music help most people when performing a test.  Although this is not true in every case, I believe it is a universal piece of knowledge.  Finding studies that both argue and support my hypothesis makes me that much more certain that I picked a good topic.  After concluding that only this is right would be hypocritical.  I have come at this topic with an open mind and still believe that I stand with my original opinion.  I have allowed myself to believe that both sides of this may be true.  

Entry 3 Draft 3

In my research I have found one study that really shocked what I believed.  In the study, "The Effects of Different Types of Music on Cognitive Processes" the author, Robert Hjortsberg, a lawyer in New Orleans, Hjortsberg found that the students with no music performed better than the students that had classical music or rock music.  Hjortsberg predicted that the students with classical music playing in the background would perform better.  The results of this test were none statisfactory of what the author had predicted in the original hypothesis (Hjortsberg 1).  I can understand where in some cases this may stand true but as a general thing, most people would be shocked to realize this.  This study has allowed me to see the other side of the spectrum in this inquiry.  I do know that there are more alternatives to performing better than just listening to classical music while taking a test.   I am on the search for another source to provide information on this side.  

Entry 2 Draft 3

Within my line of inquiry being about testing and music there are several things that I agree with.   First off, I agree with the fact that most of the time students increase their test score by listening to classical or soothing music.  I support this because I was able to find a study that proved this to be true.  In the study "Research Matters", Christopher Johnson found that the students in the study performed higher when they had classical music playing in the background of the test.  With this being proven, classical music has more instrumental changes and instruments that acquire our brain to work harder on the task at hand (Johnson 4). 
When the brain hears music that has lyrics, we process the lyrics and the music differently and independently (Anderson, par. 4).  Anderson has stated that in a piece of lyrical music there are two parts, the lyrics and the background music.  When we listen to this our brain processes the two parts independently (Anderson, par. 4).  If we listen to lyrical music while doing an assigned task some students say they can study better than with no music (Anderson 2).  This may or may not be able to be proven.  

Entry 1 Draft 3

I have always been fascinated with listening to music.When Miss. Eaker told us that we could research something of interest, this was the first thing that came to my mind.  When I was first introduced to the topic I was a high school senior struggling to understand why this may be true.   I learned that depending on what kind o f music you listen to, outside of school, will affect how you score on the SAT.  I was absolutely taking away by this fascinating story on the news.  Over time I have adapted my question to become "Does classical or soothing music help a child when in testing?"  When I started researching this topic, I was absolutely blown away by the studies I have found that both support and disprove that music may or may not help a student in testing situations.  I feel that classical music has always helped me when I take a test but I have always known what helps me may not help others.  So take this journey with me as we reveal the sources' answers to this question

Entry 3 Draft 2

In my research I have found one study that really shocked what I believed.  In the study, "The Effects of Different Types of Music on Cognitive Processes" the author, Robert Hjortsberg, a lawyer in New Orleans, Hjortsberg found that the students with no music performed better than the students that had classical music or rock music.  Hjortsberg predicted that the students with classical music playing in the background would perform better.  The results of this test were none statisfactory of what the author had predicted in the original hypothesis (Hjortsberg 1).  I can understand where in some cases this may stand true but as a general thing, most people would be shocked to realize this.  

Entry 4 Draft 2

So far, gathering all my research and collecting my thoughts on everything, I still think that classical and soothing music help most people when performing a test.  Although this is not true in every case, I believe it is a universal piece of knowledge.  Finding studies that both argue and support my hypothesis makes me that much more certain that I picked a good topic.

Entry 2 Draft 2

With my line of inquiry being about testing and music there are several things that I agree with.   First off, I agree with the fact that most of the time students increase their test score by listening to classical or soothing music.  I support this because I was able to find a study that proved this to be true.  In the study "Research Matters", Christopher Johnson found that the students in the study performed higher when they had classical music playing in the background of the test.  With this being proven, classical music has more instrumental changes and instruments that acquire our brain to work harder on the task at hand (Johnson 4).

Entry 1 Draft 2

I have always been fascinated with listening to music.  As I entered high school, I learned that depending on what kind o f music you listen to, outside of school, will affect how you score on the SAT.  I was absolutely taking away by this fascinating story on the news.  When Miss. Eaker told us that we could research something of past interest, this was the first thing that came to my mind.  I was absolutely blown away by the studies I have found that both support and disprove that music may or may not help a student in testing situations.  I feel that classical music has always helped me when I take a test but I have always known what helps me may not help others.  So take this journey with me as we reveal the sources' answers to this question.

Entry 5 Draft 1

Anderson, Stacey A., and Gerald B. Fuller. "Effect Of Music On Reading

            Comprehension Of Junior High School Students." School Psychology

            Quarterly 25.3 (2010): 178-187. PsycARTICLES. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.

Hjortsberg, Robert W. "The Effects of Different Types of Music on Cognitive Processes."

            Loyola University of New Orleans, 14 Dec. 2001. Web.  1 Mar. 2012.

Johnson, Christopher. "Research Matters." The University of Kansas. The University of Kansas,

            31 Mar. 2008. Web. 01 Mar. 2012.

Kelly, Steve N. "Effects of Popular and Classical Background Music on the Math Test Scores of

            Undergraduate Students." Effects of Popular and Classical Background Music on the

            Math Test Scores of Undergraduate Students. University of Nebraska at Omaha.

1999. Web. 02 Mar. 2012. 

Rebholz, Meg. "How Music Affects Concentration and Work Efficiency." How Music Affects

 Concentration and Work Efficiency. University of Miami at Ohio, 21 Oct. 2005. Web. 02

Mar. 2012. 

Entry 4 Draft 1

Thus far, I have concluded that Classical and soothing music help about 15 out of 25 students (just an estimation).  This is because of the studies that I have found proving my point both right and wrong.  It basically just depends on the student and what kind of music makes their brain think more.  Although I believe that classical and soothing music do help improve test scores not everyone else agrees.

Entry 1 Draft 1

I chose to research if classical and soothing music helps teens improve their test scores.  This inquiry question to me stood out and interested me because I feel that it actually helps me and I remember seeing a new article about it when I was in high school.  This line of inquiry has proved me both right and wrong.  It really depends on the student and how they interpret the music.

Entry 3 Draft 1

There was one study that particularly stood out to me.  This study found that classical and soothing music actually hurt the teens test scores.  I don't agree with this study because the changes of tempo and move allow the brain to work in all different ways.     This sources I don't agree with but I do believe that in some scenarios this may be true.  Not every student is relaxed and can process classical and soothing music, so I accept this to be true.  

Entry 2 Draft 1

In one of the studies I found, there was results proving that classical and soothing music actually stimulates the brain and helps teens score higher on the given test.  I agree with this because classical and soothing music is instrumental.  And within that instrumental music there are tempo changes and other changes that allows the brain to think and be more productive.  When you listen to instrumental pieces you are not only exposed to different instruments but also exposed to the diversity within in the actual piece.