Research Methods in Linguistics

This course introduces a range of research methods which are widely applicable in scientific investigation but whose linguistic relevance will be emphasized here. Students will be introduced to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to research in general, as well as to specific data collection techniques in different traditions, including interviews, observation and ethnography, transcription of discourse data, classrooms observation, and corpus data. Students will have the opportunity to gain direct experience with several of the data collection procedures, and will also read and discuss published studies utilising different types of methods.

To introduce a variety of methods suitable for gathering analyzing and interpreting linguistic data.

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Variation in linguistic methodology. Qualitative methods vs. qualitative methods. Methodology in historical context. Thinking about methodology: research, data, research questions, hypotheses. Designing a research project. Identifying a topic, finding background reading, planning and designing a study. Standards of evidence. Introspection and intuition in linguistic research. Participant observation: Ethnography. Discourse Analysis. Critical discourse analysis. Quantitative research methods: Corpus-based and corpus-driven analysis. Some legal and ethical issues. Presenting research results orally and in a written report.

1. Identify the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods 2. Produce appropriate research questions and hypotheses 3. Design a methodologically reliable research project of an adequate scope and on an important topic 4. Select appropriate data for different types of research and interpret it adequately 5. Proper knowledge of how to apply the principles of ethics in scientific research 6. Prepare a written and oral report