We are all familiar with ‘fact-checking’ which aims to sort facts from fiction and to evaluate the reliability of sources. In music education articles we often read ‘research has shown’ followed by claims that are intended to validate certain approaches and practices.

However, we should not take these statements at face value but question them. This calls for rigour. Rigour is not only a disposition – a healthy scepticism - but also a set of skills and knowledge. It combines some knowledge about how research is usually carried out with an understanding of how to interpret the statistics and terminology that researchers typically use.

These skills are not complex, they are not difficult to learn and many turn out to be plain common sense.

As Dr Susan Young explains how to ‘fact check’ she will draw on some examples of claims from research that frequently crop up in early years music education discussions and will demonstrate how they are not as reliable or accurate as we are led to believe.

Being able to ‘fact check’ is an essential professional skill. We owe it to the integrity of our practice – and we owe it, in turn, to the children we work with.

This is an online training event.

Please note this session will not be recorded.

Wednesday 30 April 2025, 7.30 – 9.00 pm

£5.00 people working in early years in Somerset/Dorset; £10 others; Free for students.

Booking closes at 9 am Monday 28 April 2025

Joining instructions will be sent out at least 24 hours before the event.

For more information and to book visit takeart.org/event/fact-checking-in-music-education