Since the interview component was an integral part of this dissertation, the general research paradigm study was that of qualitative naturalistic inquiry. This form of questioning involves the use of open-ended, in-depth conversational interviews using prescribed analytic procedures.

The interviews were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. The core meanings that were found throughout the process yielded themes corresponding to aspects or parameters of the conductor's style and technique used to describe Charles Munch.

The data was then divided into units that were scrutinized and classified into categories. Following the identification of themes, a narrative was developed that best described the thematic content of the categories. In conducting the analysis of the transcribed interview data, every effort was made to insure the credibility, dependability and confirmability of the results.

A second person was utilized to establish the reliability of the existing content coding. From a selected list of content categories furnished by the investigator, the percentage of agreement between the investigator and the independent rater then could be calculated.

The study of Charles Munch can be replicated with additional conductors, and the salient parameters identified in the different studies can be consolidated into a single list. Rating scales then can be developed to enable observers to rate conductors with each element. Future empirical studies may be carried out to compare conductors to each other as well as determine whether there are groups of conductors who are similar to each other, or different from other groups of conductors.