| CODE | ENG5032 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Quantitative Studies in English Language | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | English | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Methods of research in linguistics and in the social sciences are either qualitative or quantitative. The choice of one method over the other depends on the nature of the topic being investigated. Some linguists adopt qualitative techniques for their studies, while others prefer scientific quantitative research. This study-unit focusses on quantitative methodology. It guides students through the different stages as to how one conducts a survey from start to finish. In this way, students are prepared to conduct their own quantitative studies. The topics discussed include concepts of validity and reliability, research design and sampling, questionnaire design and coding, the pitfalls of conducting interviews, SPSS and the dataset, analysing data and testing hypotheses. Study-unit Aims (i) To provide students with an awareness of the concepts of validity and reliability in quantitative research. (ii) To guide students in designing a questionnaire. (iii) To help students understand the importance of scientific sampling techniques. (iv) To familiarise students with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). (v) To help students with testing hypotheses. (vi) To allow students to critique quantitative research studies. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (i) Acquire broad awareness of the importance of different sampling techniques in quantitative research methodology. (ii) Design a questionnaire on any topic of their choice. (iii) Compare and contrast quantitative research techniques adopted in sociolinguistics studies by Labov and Trudgill. (iv) Overcome apprehension when using statistics. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (i) Apply quantitative research methods for the study of pertinent issues in linguistics. (ii) Read the research findings of sociolinguistic studies with a better knowledge of statistics. (iii) Handle the different stages of conducting a survey with confidence. (iv) Develop a quantitative research proposal. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Brett Davies, M. 2007. Doing a successful research project : using qualitative or quantitative methods. Basingstock: Palgrave, Macmillan. - Bryman, A. and Cramer, D. 2011. Quantitative Data Analysis with IBM SPSS 17, 18 & 19: A Guide for Social Scientists. London: London: Routledge. - Creswell, J. 2008. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage. - Creswell, J. W. 2009. Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage. - Davies, M.B. 2007. Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Research. Basingstock: Palgrave, Macmillan. - Goode, W. and Hatt, P.K. 1952. Methods in Social Research. London: McGraw Hill Education. - Graziano, A. and M. Raulin. 2012. Research Methods : a process of inquiry. London: Longman. - Neuman, W. L. 2006. Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approach. London: Pearson Education. - Pallant, July. 2010. SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS. London: Open University. - Rasinger, Sebastian M. 2008. Quantitative research in linguistics : An introduction. - Wolcott, H. 1995. The Art of Fieldwork. London: Continuum. Note: All texts are/will be made available through the library or as part of the lecturer's resources. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: BA(Hons) or BA General in English, or B Ed (Hons) or equivalent | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Project | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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