Understanding the Experiences of Writing with Background Music: A Phenomenological Study

Listening to music while studying is common among college students. Previous quantitative research indicated that the influence of background music on cognition varies depending on features or characteristics of music, tasks, and individuals. Although college students have writing tasks frequently in their courses, there is little research on writing with background music. This phenomenological study explored the college students’ experience of listening to music while writing. Five themes revealed the preferred music for writing, contexts and habits, types of writing, conditions for listening, and perceived impact of the music. The findings can help educators use music in educational settings. Acknowledge: Thank Dr. Wayne Babchuk for guiding my research. I appreciate the comments and feedback from students in EDPS 935 during the 2020 fall semester.