Research Methods in Linguistics CLIL - Lecture 3301-L2RML-CLIL-W
The course consists of a lecture and a complementary class. It introduces students to qualitative and quantitative research methods in linguistics, alternating between rational and empirical perspectives, as well as theory and application. It highlights the diverse and multidisciplinary character of the study of language and underscores the methodological overlap between linguistics and other disciplines such as history, literature, pedagogy, psychology, sociology and natural sciences.
During lectures and classes, students will be introduced to the foundational concepts underlying experiment design and scientific reasoning. They will be presented with the basic rules of a scientific investigation, starting from the formulation of the research problem and questions, through the choice of research methods and techniques, ending with data collection, their analysis, interpretation and presentation. They will acquire basic knowledge of research tools used in various domains of linguistic study (e.g. computational linguistics, usage-based linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition). The course will help students make informed decisions about their future paths of study.
The lecture is divided into two modules which discuss the following topics:
Module 1 - Basic elements of language research:
1. The scientific method and the practice of science;
- What is the scientific method? How does it work for linguistics and its different branches?
- Distinctions between a theory, a model, and the phenomenon
- Paradigms in linguistic research
2. Categories in thought, language and research;
- From general problems to research questions and hypotheses
- What is a usage-based model of grammar?
- Examples of hypotheses and research questions
3. Elementary distinctions in linguistic research methods;
- Introspection
- The importance of studying language in use and the limitations of intuition
- Choosing the right approach for your problem: quantitative and qualitative approaches; case studies and sample analyses
4. Operationalization of theories;
- Units, items and categories of analysis in linguistic;
- Corpora and other types of datasets;
5. Linguistics and the social world
- Approaches to the analysis of discourse;
- Types of research questions addressed by discourse analysis;
6. Multimodal data analysis: Gesture
7. Multimodal data analysis: Language image-relationships
Module 2 - Basic elements of psycholinguistic research
1. Types of research into language acquisition and use
- Empirical research as a method in coping with uncertainty
- Objects of research in applied linguistics
- Types of research (exploratory/confirmatory; basic/applied; qualitative/ quantitative; cross-sectional/ longitudinal)
2. The research process
- Basic research steps:
- Research questions (exploratory, descriptive, relational, causal) and hypotheses
- Variables and their operationalization
3. The research process: basic designs
- Understanding research design (experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, causal-comparative)
- Variable control in research (dependent, independent, confounding variables)
4. Correlational and causal-comparative studies
- Hypothesis testing, normally distributed data vs skewed data
- Correlations vs. group comparisons
- Interpreting correlation coefficients and p-values
5. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies
- Control and experimental groups in a classic experiment
- What are manipulation and randomization?
- How to design a well-planned experiment?
- Experiments in applied linguistics and psycholinguistics
6. Experimental research: between- and within-subject designs.
- Is the control group always necessary?
- Comparing experiment designs in applied linguistics
- Ways of data gathering in in psycholinguistic research
- Threats to internal validity and reliability
7. Qualitative research & triangulation
- Main types of qualitative research.
- Triangulation and its role
- Can qualitative and language data be analysed quantitatively?
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025
https://ia.uw.edu.pl/fileadmin/ilustracje/dokumenty/2026/RD_IA_2025_UCHWALA_nr16_narzedzia_AI_nowelizacja_ZAL2_EN.pdf
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: the graduate has familiarity with
K_W01. advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies
K_W05. advanced principles of linguistic research design, in particular, the principles of selecting methods and instruments in formulating research problems and testing hypotheses
K_W08. advanced structures, lexis and conventions of spoken and written English to describe research methods in linguistics
Abilities: the graduate is able to
K_U01. apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies
K_U05. apply advanced principles of linguistic research design, in particular, the principles of selecting methods and instruments in formulating research problems and testing hypotheses
K_U08. use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to the communicative situation (e.g. describing design of a study, giving an academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the minimum level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Social competences: the graduate is ready to
K_K01. critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02. recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
Assessment criteria
Written final test on the Kampus platform (e.g. multiple choice questions). The exam is based on the lecture and classes.
Bibliography
Cameron, L., & Maslen, R. (Eds.). (2010). Metaphor analysis: Research practice in applied linguistics, social sciences and the humanities. Equinox Pub.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: OUP.
Evans, V., & Green, M. (2011). Cognitive linguistics: An introduction. Edinburgh Univ. Press.
Gonzalez-Marquez, M., Mittelberg, I., Coulson, S., & Spivey, M. J. (Eds.). (2007). Methods in cognitive linguistics. John Benjamins.
Lakoff, G. (1987). Women, fire, and dangerous things: What categories reveal about the mind. University of Chicago Press.
Loewen, S. & Plonsky, L. (2016) An A-Z of Applied Research Methods. London: Palgrave.
Mackey, A. Gass, S. (eds.) (2012) Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition. A practical Guide. Wiley-Blackwell.
Perry Jr, F. L. (2011). Research in applied linguistics: Becoming a discerning consumer. Routledge.
Taylor, J. (2002). Cognitive Grammar. Oxford University Press.
Wallace, M., & Wray, A. (2011). Critical reading and writing for postgraduates (2nd ed). SAGE Publications.
Wray, A. & Bloomer, A. (2006) Projects in Linguistics. A Practical Guide to Researching Language. London: Hodder Education.
Notes
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Term 2026Z:
IMPORTANT: Attendance is obligatory. Two absences are allowed. |