Musical training and achievement in chemistry : Is there a link?

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a link between musical training and academic achievement in chemistry, by using a mixed methods design. Chemistry students in Year 10 secondary and in post-secondary schools in state, church and independent sector were asked to complete a questionnaire. Undergraduates, postgraduates and alumni of the Department of Chemistry were also invited to complete a questionnaire. Additionally, four chemistry graduates with a strong background in music were interviewed. The 163 responses obtained from secondary school chemistry students in Year 10 and the 257 replies obtained from post-secondary school students studying chemistry were analysed quantitatively to investigate the research questions posed at the start of the study. The replies of chemistry undergraduates, postgraduates and alumni together with the interview data, were used to support and extend the quantitative findings. The effect of time spent studying chemistry at home, gender, parental education, motivation, instrument choice, age at which tuition commences, time spent practising music and certain character traits were examined. Overall, the results obtained indicate that there seems to be a link between music training and academic achievement in chemistry.