Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

For students to:
- have a working knowledge of a range of methods for translation and interpreting studies research
- have a working knowledge of basic descriptive statistics
- have the knowledge and skills needed to design and write up a dissertation or Translating/Interpreting Project

This module aims to prepare you to research and write an MA dissertation or Project Commentary in translating/interpreting studies, and will give you a grounding if you are doing an MPhil/PhD thesis in this field. You will learn how to use a range of research methods and library search tools, how to build your own EndNote bibliographic database, and how to use Excel for graphs and simple statistics. You will also learn about the specific chapter-by-chapter features of dissertations and project commentaries. The module is not language-specific.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Advanced academic writing skills
2.       Endnote: organising reading & references.
3.       TurnItIn checks to avoid plagiarism
4.       Library skills
5.       Types of research, key concepts. Structure of dissertations and projects.
6.       Aims, objectives, hypotheses. Planning research.
7.       Text studies.
8.       Questionnaires and interviews.
9.       Think-alouds; studying translating and interpreting strategies
10.       Sampling, variables, validity, reliability.
11.       Ethnography, observation, networks
12.       Research ethics and dealing with people.
13.       Reflexivity, researcher-as-subject studies, case studies.
14.       Projects: From Portfolio to Commentary
15.       Statistics and graphs with Excel
16.       Write-up chapter structure.

Topic 1 above is for new Chinese T&I students only; Topics 2-3 are for new Chinese T&I students and European Translation students only (Chinese T&I students continuing from Year 1 had this input in SML7001).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will have a good critical awareness of:
•       The key research methods suitable for their chosen type of translation-studies research, and know the value of using multiple research methods.
•       Underlying methodological issues
• The stylistic, text-construction and ethical conventions involved in producing and writing up a dissertation or translating/interpreting project in translation studies.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Depending on their pathway within the module, students will be able to:
•       Search for paper and electronic information sources to support their research, using conventional library catalogues and online databases.
•       Choose and discuss the most appropriate methods for their own and others’ research.
•       Design and run simple think-aloud protocol and questionnaire-based studies.
•       Use the Excel package to calculate data and generate graphs, charts and descriptive statistical indicators.
•       Use the Endnote package to store and search bibliographic data, and to generate citations and references.
•       Design a dissertation-length study involving either: (a) a case study analysing one’s own written or spoken translation; or (b) another mode of empirical translation-studies research.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A short module talk introduces students to the module and explains learning/teaching methods. This is Non-Synchronous Online for students’ convenience (the first teaching sessions are only for a sub-set of students: see Syllabus above). The combination of lectures and workshops enables students to get a combination of lecturer input, mini practical tasks and discussion, thus building up their knowledge and practical research skills. Library skills work develops study skills. Here, non-synchronous online work supports the linked live sessions. The former involves looking at information on various techniques, where it is better for students to do this at their own pace, and to have the online materials available to refer to afterwards.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This tests both the students' knowledge of methodological principles and their ability to apply the principles and techniques learned to a real-life research project. It also motivates them into producing a practical working proposal for the subsequent Dissertation or Translating/Interpreting Project.

General Notes

N/A