The purpose of this study was to survey music therapy students and music therapists about their perceptions of research activities, research and researcher’s competences, and ways to develop them, and to use them as a basis for training and education for future researchers and for the development and professional improvement of the music therapy field. The survey was conducted for two weeks, and 149 data from 47 music therapy students and 102 music therapists were analyzed. The results of the study were as follows. First, there were differences in research activities between music therapy students and music therapists, such as the number of conferences they joined and their experience in presenting at conferences. Second, both music therapy students and music therapists recognized that research is important for the development of music therapy, but there were differences in their perceptions of whether research actually helps them in their clinical or academic work. In terms of perceptions of researchers’ competences, music therapists were generally more confident in their theoretical and practical competence in research. Finally, both music therapy students and music therapists reported that research-related education is necessary in their degree programs to develop research, and music therapy students reported institutional support, such as the provision of research experiences, and music therapists reported external support, such as research incentives. The findings of this study are significant in that they provide basic information for the development of research education and training, as well as systems and supports to promote research, at a time when research is being emphasized for the music therapy profession.