APG5347 · Research methods in applied linguistics

Overview

In this unit, you will learn how to conduct and evaluate research in applied linguistics. Within the field of applied linguistics, research from diverse theoretical perspectives is conducted and applied to better understand real-world contexts and tackle real-world challenges relating to language in society. Understanding the nature and development of this research is critical (i) for designing your own research to align with your professional/personal interests, and (ii) for evaluating methods and insights from the existing research in addressing real problems in specific contexts and communities. In this unit, you will gain an understanding of how applied linguistic research proceeds from theory to research design, and how this connects to data collection and analysis. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to shape your own research projects in applied linguistics. This includes how to develop sound and ethical research questions, how to choose datasets and data collection methodologies, as well as how to draw on quantitative/qualitative approaches to analyse the data. You will also apply these skills to analyse case studies and to design a research project that aligns with your research and professional interests.

Areas of study: Applied linguistics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in applied linguistics;
2. Assess the role of research questions, evaluate different types of research questions and develop questions for individual research interests;
3. interpret procedures and results in existing quantitative/qualitative studies in applied linguistics;
4. design a research project by selecting datasets and/or data collection methodologies and quantitative/qualitative analysis that best fits individual research studies.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.