Research Methods in Linguistics CLIL 2 3301-L2RML-CLIL2
Classes in the second term are divided into two modules. In each module, students learn about the practical aspects of doing research in selected areas of linguistics: how to plan and conduct a language study, what tools to use, and how to effectively gather and analyse data. Module 1 introduces students to quantitative research methods in linguistics, alternating between rational and empirical perspectives, as well as theory and application. The students expand their knowledge of quantitative data analysis. Module 2 introduces students to qualitative research methods in applied linguistics.
The classes contain a linguistic component: they involve extensive practice in the use of spoken and written English for academic purposes.
Module 1 – Quantitative methods and data analysis
1. Operationalization of variables (measuring and counting linguistic phenomena)
- types of variables, - constructs and construct validity
- looking at articles and scientific reports
2. Statistics I: foundational concepts
- tendency measures (mean, median, mode), measures of variance (SD, variance, SEM);
- relating tests to distributions (parametric vs. non-parametric)
- preparing a report based on available data
3. Statistics II: workshop
- practical exercises with pairwise tests and correlations
- reporting test outcomes in APA format
4-5. Online questionnaires – workshop
- examples of good and bad practices
- designing an online questionnaire
- reporting test outcomes in APA format
6. Corpus Linguistics I - theory
- type vs. token vs. lemma
- annotation and regular expressions
- collocation measures (e.g. Mutual Information score)
- discussion on how to compare corpora
7. Corpus Linguistics II - working with basic software
- concordancer (e.g. AntConc) - comparing two corpora for collocations, n-grams, keywords
- stylometric analyzer (e.g. TAASSC) - comparing learner corpora for indices of lexical and syntactic sophistication
Module 2 – Qualitative research
1. What is qualitative research?
- conceptual frameworks, research questions
- participants: sampling, gathering background information
- ethics, reliability and validity
2. Conducting interviews
- types of interviews
- interview protocol, conducting an interview, transcription
- observation and field notes
3. Coding and analysis 1
- approaches to data analysis
- Thematic Analysis
4. Coding and analysis 2
- Grounded Theory
- Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
- Narrative Analysis
5. Coding and analysis 3
- looking for patterns and themes in the data
- MAXQDA software - introduction
6. Writing up a qualitative analysis
- describing the findings, quoting and paraphrasing
- the language of qualitative research
Type of course
Course coordinators
Term 2024L: | Term 2025L: |
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will be able to:
K_W01 identify the place and specificity of Linguistics against the background of other academic disciplines within the humanities
K_W04, describe the relation between language, literature, and historical and cultural processes on an advanced level
K_W07 explain principles of designing linguistic studies, with special focus on selecting appropriate methods and tools in formulating research questions and testing research hypotheses and related fields of study within the humanities and social sciences
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 employ the terminology and methodological tools from linguistics, especially in relation to data collection and analysis
K_U02 employ the methodology of linguistics within English studies, respecting the ethical norms and copyright law
K_U04 implement knowledge to describe a problem and identify means to solve it, thereby completing a project in linguistics. Specifically they should be able to collect and analyse linguistic data
K_U05 collect information from various sources, critically assess a source and usefulness of information; analyse and draw generalizations on the basis of information so obtained, especially in the field of linguistics
K_U08 Participate in group projects, related to the collection and analysis of linguistic data; collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum
K_U09 present knowledge and communicate in a cohesive, precise and linguistically correct manner in the English language at level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
K_U011 design their own development
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K02 undertake life-long learning and personal development, applying skills and competences to select subjects and projects optimally suiting one’s personal interests
K_K03 value responsibility for one’s own work and respect the work of others, adhering to the professional and ethical norms in science, and various forms of professional work involving linguistic skills
K_K04 apply the skill to critically assess communicated content to think and act independently in various social situations, especially in relation to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of linguistic data
K_K05 function effectively in social and cultural interactions, through various forms and media, thanks to the ability to express oneself in a cohesive and lucid manner
Assessment criteria
The final grade is based on partial assignments during the semester and a final test covering the material from the classes.
Partial written and oral assignments, and tests on the content of the classes. Both knowledge and language components are assessed.
The teaching and assessment of the language component concerns specific tasks (e.g. completing activities on an online platform, written assignments for credit) and constitutes 25% of the overall assessment. The assessment takes into account:
a) the variety and adequacy of grammatical structures used
b) the variety and adequacy of vocabulary used, including collocations
c) coherence and cohesion, including the use of linking devices, etc.
Attendance is obligatory. Two absences are allowed.
Bibliography
Biber, D. (2012). Corpus-Based and Corpus-driven Analyses of Language Variation and Use. Oxford Handbooks Online.
Binkert, P. J. (2003). Linguistic Analysis: Lecture Notes And Workbook For Lin180. Oakland University, Rochester Michigan.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research. A practical guide for beginners. Sage.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. Sage.
Carnie, A. (2021). Syntax: A generative introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Cresswell, J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: OUP.
Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2019). Ethnography: Principles in practice. Routledge.
Loewen, S. & Plonsky, L. (2016) An A-Z of Applied Research Methods. London: Palgrave.
McEnery, T et al. (2006). Corpus-Based Language Studies: An Advanced Resource Book. London: Routledge.
Müller, S. (2020). Grammatical theory: From transformational grammar to constraint-based approaches. Language Science Press.
Newman P. and Ratliff M. (eds.) (2001). Linguistic Fieldwork. Cambridge: CUP.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. Sage.
Wray, A. & Bloomer, A. (2006) Projects in Linguistics. A Practical Guide to Researching Language. London: Hodder Education.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: