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Module

ALC8020 : Research Methods in Applied Linguistics

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jim Chan
  • Lecturer: Dr Mei Lin, Professor Paul Seedhouse, Dr Elaine Lopez, Dr Christopher Leyland, Dr Müge Satar
  • Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to design and carry out independent research in the area of applied linguistics and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). It introduces the key research approaches and a variety of research methods used in investigating language teaching and learning. It will take a step-by-step approach through the process, from getting to know the key concepts involved in applied linguistics research, to the design, carrying out a research project, and interpreting the research findings. It also introduces students to exemplary research articles in this area.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Research in Applied Linguistics
2.       Good academic conduct
3.       Overview: data collection methods
4.       Survey-based research
5.       Interview data
6.       Classroom observation
7.       Document analysis
8.       Action research
9.       Mixed methods research
10.       Case study
11.       Ethnographic research
12.       Experimental data collection methods
13.       Qualitative analysis
14.       Quantitative analysis
15.       Discourse analysis
16.       Conversation analysis
17.       Analysing spoken data
18.       Social semiotics workshop
19.       Workshops for data analysis
20.       Planning for assessment tasks

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion125:0025:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion150:0050:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials201:0020:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops102:0020:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery22:004:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study161:0061:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide an introduction to the weekly content, establish a basic level of understanding of the topic, and signal areas for individual further study and essential and further reading. In-class discussions provide students with the opportunity to raise questions related to the teaching contents and to discuss them in more depth. Group activities and discussions also allow students to share and engage in personal reflections.

Structured Guided Learning activities provide students with weekly opportunities to consolidate learning through guided tasks linked to the weekly topic.

In some weeks, students will practise their data collection and analysis techniques in seminar workshops.

Independent study will enable wider reading, further personal self-reflection and assignment preparation

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M40Critique of a research method (1500 words)
Research proposal2A602500 word research proposal as preparation for the dissertation, submitted at end of semester 2 teaching
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Ability to critically evaluate link between theory and research, as well as strengths and limitations of research methods, will be assessed in the research method critique. Other knowledge outcomes, and skills outcomes, including ability to identify gaps in the field of research, to identify links between research and practice, and design a research project, will be assessed through a written research proposal.

Reading Lists

Timetable