Artistic vs Scientific

With kind permission from Ann Malm, librarian at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, I post the summary of the second group in Reykjavik* concerning the question

How can a “scientific” and “artistic” approach be combined? Can, for example, a personal
reflection on a creative process qualify as being “scientific”?

We had a long discussion about artistic exams on different levels. Should they try to copy the
science exams, especially on a higher level (dissertations)? It is very hard to compare such
different methods. In the scientific field it seems to be easier to present a result, compared to
an artistic work. Whether it is equivalent for instance to present a process diary made during
a musician's work, to a written analysis of some laboratory experiment is hard to say. It is a good idea for the students to improve their ability to express themselves, when it comes to a degree
project, but on a doctoral degree - it is much more difficult to say what is needed. We think
this issue was very difficult, and that we perhaps are not able to answer the question.

Ann Malm

* Nordic Music Academy Libraries Conference, 16th – 18th June 2008 (please, see below).