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Overview

This module aims to advance the research skills of students who have received previous research methods training (by successfully completing either an Undergraduate Linguistics or English Language or Psychology degree at Bangor or an equivalent HEI institution that requires a substantial independent research-based project) and to allow the student to move faster into one-on-one support so that they can start on their project proposals in the first semester.

Please note, if you do not have the above experience and/or qualifications, you should NOT register for this module. Please register for QXL-4432 Research Methods. If you think you may have commensurate research training experience, please contact your personal tutor or the PGT lead for an assessment prior to registering for this module.

It focuses on further refining existing skills and training by providing additional support in designing and executing Masters’ level language-related experiments and to evaluate research papers and presentations utilizing diverse methods, again at the PGT level. Tailored for the master's dissertation within the chosen PGT program (either Linguistics, Applied Linguistics for TEFL, Language acquisition and Development Language Technologies) it isn't solely for dissertation preparation but delves into research questions, methods, and designs applicable to the four fields.

The module provides additional and advanced training with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methodologies, delving into experimental designs, statistical analyses, empirical research concepts, and dissertation-level presentation skills. It also includes training in utilizing library resources for research, referencing, ethical considerations, and obtaining ethics approval. Taught by specialists in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics and Language Technology, it further exposes students to a wide array of research topics and approaches, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of research methods in linguistics and related fields.

Its goals encompass aiding students, who have [prior training, to more effectively and efficiently plan and execute master's level research, refine data analysis and presentation techniques, deepen comprehension of theoretical research concepts, address methodological and ethical concerns in linguistic research, and enhance skills in analysing, summarizing, and critiquing research literature.

Fianlly, students in this module, depending on assessment topics, research question(s) and methodologies will have to opportunity to utilize the department labs, specialized software and resources, when carry out their assessments. This can include access to and the use of; dedicated lab facilities for experiments, a direct brain activity measurement (ERP) and eye tracking systems, a professional grade sound isolation booth and high-end recording equipment setup, high-level statistical modelling and analysis software, behavioural experiment software systems, acoustic and phonetic analysis software, clinically-recognised standardised psychometric and language tests and a wide range of concordance software and specialised corpora for many languages.

Please note, this module is only for students who have received previous research methods training, by successfully completing either an Undergraduate Linguistics or English Language or Psychology degree at Bangor or an equivalent HEI institution that requires a substantial independent research-based project. If you do not have the above experience and/or qualifications, you should NOT register for this module. Please register for QXL-4432 Research Methods. If you think you may have commensurate research training experience, please contact your personal tutor or the PGT lead for an assessment prior to registering for this module.

1. The basics of research. Properties of good research; research questions and hypotheses. The scientific method.
2. Developing the research question (RQ), the preliminary literature research process – narrowing down and finding the research gap (RG).
3. Dealing with literature appropriately, targeted library database search for your dissertation, compilation and referencing of academic texts.
4. How to get from an idea to a dissertation proposal: Literature research and assessing materials vis-à-vis the RQ and writing a focused review of literature.
5. Bringing it all together: Identifying the best methodology vis-à-vis your RQs, (looking ahead) the parts of a dissertation, how to write a strong dissertation proposal and writing the introduction.
6. Academic writing style and theoretical research methodology. Research ethics and application process.
7. Variables; Sampling and validity; Types of studies: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodology; how to deal with numbers.
8. Questionnaires & Surveys
9. Discourse & Discourse Analysis
10. Experimental research design & basic statistical concepts (within- & between-subjects, power and effect size, parametric/non-parametric data)
11. Experimental design in language acquisition research & data analysis
12. Corpus-based Approaches: Principles, Theory and Methods
13. Wrap Up. Writing the best dissertation proposal possible. Tips, strategies and things to keep in mind. 'How will my proposal be evaluated?' . The marking rubric and criteria.

Students in this module, depending on assessment topics, research question(s) and methodologies will have to opportunity to utilize the department labs, specialized software and resources, when carry out their assessments. This can include access to and the use of; dedicated lab facilities for experiments, a direct brain activity measurement (ERP) and eye tracking systems, a professional grade sound isolation booth and high-end recording equipment setup, high-level statistical modelling and analysis software, behavioural experiment software systems, acoustic and phonetic analysis software, clinically-recognised standardised psychometric and language tests and a wide range of concordance software and specialised corpora for many languages.

Assessment Strategy

-Threshold - C (50%): The answer must address the question. The answer must show a basic knowledge and understanding of the relevant key areas and principles of the foundational theories, constructs and methodologies of Linguistics. The student must show evidence of being able to apply the principles to the analysis of language and linguistic examples and/or data. The answer must show evidence of some background study.

-Good - B: The answer must be focused and structured. The answer must show a better-than-average standard of knowledge and understanding of the foundational theories, constructs and methodologies of Linguistics. The linguistic examples used in the answer may be based upon examples from the literature but must also include original examples. The answer must show evidence of background study with at least some from primary sources.

-Excellent - A: The answer must be highly focused and well-structured. The answer must show comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding. The answer must show some original interpretation, new links between topics and/or a new approach to a problem. The answer must show evidence of extensive background study using primary sources.

Learning Outcomes

• Analysing the current state of art in either the field of linguistics, applied linguistics for TEFL , bilingualism, language acquisition and development or language technologies research in order to identify a research gap and to develop research question or questions and (if applicable) hypotheses suitable for a master’s level dissertation in the student’s PGT programme.

• Choosing and employing appropriate analytical tools, such as statistical procedures, for master's level research within the field of either Linguistics, Applied Linguistics for TEFL, Bilingualism, Language acquisition and Development or Language Technologies.

• Composing an appropriate review of literature that sets the context, identifies the research gap, and supports the research question or questions suitable for a master’s level dissertation in the student’s PGT programme.

• Evaluating and prioritising methodological and ethical issues pertaining to linguistic data collection and analysis.