| CODE | LLT2810 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Research Methods in Linguistics | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit gives an overview of the methodological aspects of designing and conducting a piece of research by focusing on the research process, formulation of hypotheses and hypothesis testing. It aims to prepare students to carry out research independently, by covering different methodological paradigms which are used to address different types of research questions. The study-unit is organised into two main parts: - Part 1 introduces different approaches to qualitative methods and approaches of different sorts, discussing issues related to qualitative research in the process; - Part 2 provides an introduction to quantitative methods and experimental design as well as to statistical analysis and hypothesis testing. Study-Unit Aims: The following are among the principal topics that this study-unit aims to cover: - theoretical vs empirical research methods; - the basis of qualitative and quantitative research, including key approaches in both, as most relevant to linguistic investigations across different modalities (speech/sign/text etc.) and in different contexts (e.g. real life, spontaneous and scripted speech, experimental study, historical texts etc.); - good practice in field and laboratory methods of data collection for qualitative and quantitative research; - basic concepts in statistics, including a good grounding in descriptive statistics and a preliminary understanding of (the reasons for) inferential statistics; - completing URECA forms, and an introduction to the value of accountable research; - managing collected data, including its storage, preparation and processing for analysis (e.g. file labelling, coding and annotating of data etc.). Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the most useful or relevant method or methods for addressing specific research questions; - critically consider and revise the methodology of a study for its strengths and limitations; - use relevant programmes and statistical packages; - recognise the challenges and ethical implications of collecting both primary and secondary language data; - critically review a data set. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - complete URECA forms under supervision; - collect, anonymise and store data; - organise and process data in preparation for analysis; - apply basic statistical knowledge to different data sets; - report on, analyse, and discuss different data sets. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Podesva, R. J., & Sharma, D. (2014). Research Methods in Linguistics. Higher Education from Cambridge University Press; Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139013734. - Wray, A., & Bloomer, A. (2012). Projects in Linguistics and Language Studies (3rd ed.). Routledge. |
||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Jessica Nieder Sarah Grech |
||||||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||||||