A Content Analysis of the American String Teacher (2000–2019)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine featured articles (n = 376) and authors (n = 415) published in the American String Teacher from 2000 through 2019. Articles were coded into 1 of 24 categories using a researcher-designed codebook based on article content. Authors were coded into one of four professional position categories based on information provided in their biographies and by gender based on included pronouns. Article content codes with the highest overall percentages included profession (14.86%), instrument pedagogy (13.83%), and repertoire/instructional materials (11.44%). Within the instrument pedagogy category, articles that primarily focused on violin (23.08%) were the most common, and those focused on the guitar (3.85%) and harp (1.92%) were the least common. Article content codes with the lowest overall percentages included exceptional learners (0.53%), assessment (0.53%), and administration/business (0.80%). Authors were primarily men (n = 53.49%) and held positions in higher education (n = 54.22%). A significant negative trend was found for authors categorized as applied arts, where applied arts authors decreased from 23.81% in 2000 to 21.74% in 2019.