Eko Sugiarto, Abdul Halim Husain, Tjetjep Rohendi Rohidi
This article investigates the profound impact of epistemological reflections on arts education research within postgraduate programmes at Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia's leading institution in arts education. Recognising the unique ontological nature of arts education, the study emphasises the need for flexible research methods. Through qualitative analysis of doctoral and master's theses, the research uncovers key epistemological discourses, including subjectivity, interpretation and values in knowledge creation. Findings highlight the importance of a paradigmatic shift towards cross-disciplinary dialogue in arts education research. The study identifies the challenge of merging traditional scientific frameworks with the inclusive and multidimensional nature of art. Consequently, it proposes implications for postgraduate arts education programmes, advocating for methodological expansion, interdisciplinary inclusion and the development of responsive evaluation models. This research underscores the epistemological diversity within arts education research, ultimately benefiting student research development at the master's and doctoral levels. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Arts Education Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Semarang City, Indonesia; Postgraduate School, Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan Malaysia (ASWARA), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Design Department, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (UDINUS), Semarang City, Indonesia
