Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LLT2811

 
TITLE Introducing Research Methods and Quantitative Research Basics for Linguistics

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit gives an overview of the methodological basics which provide the foundations for carrying out linguistic research and provides an introduction to quantitative research methods in linguistics. It will examine the research process, covering the formulation of research questions or hypotheses as well as key methodological aspects of designing and conducting research, with an emphasis on quantitative analysis, experimental design, statistical techniques, and hypothesis testing. The study-unit prepares students to carry out independent research by introducing methodological approaches tailored to diverse linguistic research questions across different contexts and modalities.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to introduce students to key concepts in empirical linguistic research and to develop their understanding of quantitative methods across various modalities and contexts. The study-unit also aims to equip students with good practices in data collection, basic statistical knowledge, awareness of ethical research conduct, and the skills needed for effective data management, including storage, preparation, and annotation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify the most useful or relevant methods for addressing specific research questions in linguistics;
- Critically consider and revise the methodology of a study for its strengths and limitations;
- Use relevant programmes and statistical packages;
- Recognise the challenges and ethical implications of collecting language data;
- Critically review a data set.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Address ethical considerations in linguistic research;
- Organise and process data in preparation for analysis;
- Apply basic statistical knowledge to different data sets;
- Report on, analyse, visualise and discuss different data sets.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Johnson, K. (2008). Quantitative Methods in Linguistics. Wiley Blackwell.
- Gillioz, C. and Zufferey, S. (2021). Introduction to Experimental Linguistics. John Wiley & Son.

Supplementary Readings:

- Dauber, J. (2024). R for Non-Programmers: A Guide for Social Scientists. https://r4np.com.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork SEM1 Yes 40%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Jessica Nieder

 

 
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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit