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LN4002: RESEARCH METHODS IN LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

This course gives students the essential tools for conducting research in linguistics. Working with examples of published articles, we will cover philosophical frameworks underpinning different research approaches, effective strategies for reading to conduct a literature review, and the design and implementation of research projects. We will also look at how to frame testable hypotheses, ethical constraints and considerations in linguistic research, and different approaches to collecting data. Particular attention will be given to comparing qualitative approaches, such as participant observation and ethnographic methods, and quantitative approaches, such as structured questionnaires and variationist sociolinguistic methods, including elementary statistical analysis. 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Agni Connor

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course gives students the essential tools for conducting research in linguistics. Working with examples of published articles, we will cover philosophical frameworks underpinning different research approaches, effective strategies for reading to conduct a literature review, and the design and implementation of research projects. We will also look at how to frame testable hypotheses, ethical constraints and considerations in linguistic research, and different approaches to collecting data. Particular attention will be given to comparing qualitative approaches, such as participant observation and ethnographic methods, and quantitative approaches, such as structured questionnaires and variationist sociolinguistic methods, including elementary statistical analysis. 

Further Information & Notes

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: In-course assessment. A 3000 word written assignment considering aspects of research methodology covered in the course. This will take the form of a research proposal for a dissertation, covering proposed research questions, data collection and data analysis methods, comparing and contrasting possible research approaches and giving a rationale for the methods proposed, drawing on the material covered in the course. (90%); Seminar Assessment Mark (10%)

Formative Assessment

Students will be given the opportunity of finding out how well they have performed in seminars as an ongoing feature of the learning process. Formative assessment will be given to students individually upon request.

Feedback

Feedback on the essay will be given in writing on the cover sheet. Students will also be invited to discuss their performance with their tutor. The Seminar Assessment Mark will be made available to students along with a generally brief written report from the tutor. Students will also be encouraged to speak to their tutor about the assessment.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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