Interesting comments, Jag. I cannot claim to be a specialist though I cam make some claim to be a musician and I have done a fair bit of background reading in both 'folklore' and relevant fields. As Wilgus points out, there is a certain amount of crossover. I agree with you that simply quoting 'the academic literature' is risky, as this will have its own assumptions. I think that today the use of explicit analytic frameworks is encouraged, partly to provide evidence of academic 'rigour' and also on a view that these may help bring assumptions, attitudes and beliefs into the open. There will be disagreements within academia of course, some more and some less passionate. Intelligence testing is an example from my own educational background (English and Psychology, honours degree level). I think my background in Eng Lang and Lit is one reason that some work on folklore eg books about the development of the ballad form interest me.