2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LING5480M Research Methods in Linguistics

15 creditsClass Size: 36

Module manager: Diane Nelson
Email: d.c.nelson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In this module , students are given an overview of research methodologies commonly used in linguistic studies, and are given detailed guidance on how to approach the design and planning of their own original study, which they will undertake after completing this module, as their dissertation project.

Objectives

This module aims to:
1. provide students with a broad understanding of research methodologies in the social sciences as well as an understanding of specific approaches to research in a range of linguistic topics
2. prepare students for undertaking their own piece of original research in the post-requisite module LING5350M Dissertation (Linguistics and Phonetics)

Learning outcomes
On the completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. show an appreciation of issues surrounding the collection, transcription and analysis of various types of language data
2. interpret quantitative information presented in research papers on language-related topics
3. demonstrate awareness of the need to design research projects in terms of research questions that can be systematically ‘operationalised’
4. understand how research is undertaken in the main sub-disciplines of linguistics

Syllabus

The first part of the lecture programme is team-taught, with staff members covering issues of research methodology that are relevant to specific areas of linguistics in which they have expertise: for example language acquisition, phonetics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. The second part of the lecture programme prepares students for undertaking their own research and writing it up in the form of a dissertation, as part of the post-requisite module LING5350M Dissertation (Linguistics and Phonetics). Among other topics, it covers research ethics and planning, and presents students with dissertation outlines appropriate for various types of project. Throughout this module, students are encouraged to develop their ideas about dissertation topics in conjunction with available members of staff.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.50	15.00
Independent online learning hours			40.00
Private study hours			95.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students are expected to spend 135 hours of independent work on this module, with the following suggested breakdown:
- self-study using online resources: (10x4=) 40 hours
- reading to keep up with lecture content: (10x4=) 40 hours
- preparation of the essay: 55 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The lectures incorporate practical activities, which yield opportunities for monitoring students’ progress and providing formative feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	100.00
Presentation	Presenting Dissertation Plan	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/10/2018

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