Research Training Seminar - LAN00034M

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module provides students with the basic research methods and tools to allow them to conduct an independent piece of research. The module is split in two. The first part concerns generic skill and notions of scientific inquiry while the second part consists of specialised workshops that students will choose depending on their topic.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

  • To provide students with the necessary training to enable them to complete an independent piece of research

  • To expose students to a range of linguistic research types and methods, and allow them to reflect on that to enrich their own experience

  • To provide students with a number of generic transferable skills important for their future either in the world of work or in further research study in the context of a PhD.

Module learning outcomes

  • Understanding the core process of scientific inquiry

  • Identify significant hypotheses, formulate and test them

  • Acquire specific knowledge of research techniques and tools relevant to their field of study and beyond.

By the end of the module students will be able to do the following:

  • Formulate hypotheses and plan valid testing of these hypotheses.

  • Use the notions of Reliability and Validity to evaluate and formulate results.

  • Write in appropriate style for Linguistics including using the industry standard abbreviations and glossing conventions.

  • Have a good understanding of a subset of tools and methods as required in their chosen subfield of specialisation.

  • Have a good understanding of how to find and access relevant literature using databases and other available facilities.

Module content

We aim to cover the following topics in this module:

  • The processes and conduit of Science

  • Scientific and Research Ethics

  • Bibliographical tools

  • Writing in linguistics

  • Formulating a feasible and interesting research proposal

  • Optional content as pertaining to each area of research:

  • Using modern typesetting programs in linguistics (LaTeX, 2hrs)

  • Using Corpora ( 2hrs)

  • Online Surveys (1hr)

  • Statistics (6hrs)

  • Field methods in sociolinguistics (4hrs)

  • Field methods in syntax and semantics (2hrs)

  • Field Methods in Phonetics and Phonology (4hrs)

  • Presentation Skills (2hrs)

  • Praat Scripting (6hrs)

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Essay/coursework 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Essay/coursework 50

Module feedback

Every week, you will do exercises and receive in-class oral feedback

For submitted assessments, you will receive individual written feedback within 25 working days of your submission.

Indicative reading

TBA