Prospectus

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Qualitative Methods in Linguistics

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

none

Description

This course provides an overview of qualitative data collection and analysis methods in linguistics, focusing on case study, discourse analysis, interview, survey, and integrated methods. Emphasis is placed on: 1) understanding how studies are designed to respond to specific research questions, including how questions are derived from prior theory and research; 2) how validity is assessed, including what counts as evidence, what makes data analysis systematic, and what makes a study trustworthy; and 3) how quantitative and qualitative methods compare with and compliment one another. Students learn about prominent qualitative research methodologies and critically analyze research reports employing those same methodologies. For the culminating assessment, students write a final exam paper in which they either: 1) propose an original research project centered in qualitative methodology, or 2) present a detailed evaluative review of a qualitative research study.

Course objectives

Students in the course will:

  • Understand the goals and theories underlying prominent qualitative research methods and methodologies

  • Evaluate the quality of research studies in linguistics, focusing on dimensions of validity, trustworthiness, and ethical research design

  • Gain practical knowledge regarding how to design and implement qualitative and integrated methods studies in linguistics

  • Work with peers to prepare an oral presentation

  • Write an academic paper in English CEFR C2

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Assessment method

  • Active Participation in seminar (30%) -regular attendance -preparation for seminar discussion (required readings and weblectures)

  • Group oral presentation (30%)

  • Final exam paper: (40%)

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the above components.
Students must achieve a final exam paper mark of 6 to achieve credit for the course.

Resit

Students who do not achieve this mark may resit the final exam paper.
Please note: Students may not resit the participation or oral presentation components of the course.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

J. McKinley & H. Rose (2019). The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Applied Linguistics.
An E-book version of this text is available via Leiden University library resources.

Brightspace will also be used

Registration

Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory

General information about registering for courses and exams can be found [here] (https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/your-study-programme/courses-and-exams/enrolment/humanities/dutch-linguistics-ma?cf=humanities&cd=dutch-linguistics-ma#tab-1)

Contact

For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar

For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.

For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats

For questions regarding your studyprogress contact the Coordinator of Studies

Remarks

None