Scientific methodology 15-MN-SO-11

Scientific Method course aims at practical introduction to research methods in language sciences. Key concepts taken into consideration during the course are: methods and methodology in scientific conduct, empirical research, steps in the scientific conduct (research question, theory, hypothesis, operationalization, data collecting, results interpretation) as well as: types of variables, the structure of an academic paper and ethics in research.
During the class we analyze academic papers from various fields of language studies. Students prepare their own research projects.

Contents:

1. Methodology and methods. What is empirical science?
2. Is empirical linguistics possible?
3. Basic elements of the scientific conduct: theory, research question, hypothesis, operationalization, data collecting, variables analysis, description and interpretation of results.
4. Ethics in language research.
5. Elements of the research procedure: analysis of academic paper referring experiments.
6. Elements of the research procedure: analysis of academic paper referring observation.
7. Research plans: main types and elements of research plans.
8. Planning your research I: choosing the theoretical framework and the field of study, formulating the research question.
9. Planning your research II: nominal and operational definitions, variables.
10. Planning your research III: how to choose sampling and data treatment methods?
11. Planning your research IV: hypotheses testing, results interpretation.
12. Research project presentation: final poster session of students’ research plans.

Module learning aims

Deepened knowledge of methodology of science. Improved skills in reading and analyzing academic papers. Improved skills in research planning. Deepened knowledge of practical and ethical issues in research.

Major

English Philology

Cycle of studies

2nd cycle

Module type

compulsory

Year of studies (where relevant)

Year 1

Assessment criteria

Class attendance is required (max 2 unexcused absences).Active participation.
Preparation of the research plan and conference poster (A0, print).
Groups of 2-3 students (or indiv.).
Projects will be graded during final poster presentation.

Bibliography

1. Babbie, E. R. (1979). The practice of social research / Earl R. Babbie. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
2. Frankfort-Nachmias, C., Nachmias, D. (1996). Research Methods in the Social Sciences (5 Sub.). Worth Pub.
3. M. Gonzalez-Marquez, S. Coulson, M. J. Spivey, & I. Mittelberg (Eds.), Methods in Cognitive Linguistics. John Benjamins Pub Co.

See also materials from older editions of the course: https://amu.academia.edu/BarbaraKonat/Teaching-Documents

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 15-MN-SO-11 in USOSweb