Research extension

Aims

Aims

If you want to write a dissertation, this module is for you.

This module provides an opportunity to study in some more depth a research topic being studied in another H-level module. By expanding the word limit of the research piece demanded for the other module by 5,000 words, it will give students in L&LS the opportunity to undertake a substantial (dissertation length) piece of independent research in Linguistics.

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Design and carry out a theoretical and/or empirical study in a chosen area of Linguistics
• Understand the challenges posed in carrying out a substantial piece of independent research
• Demonstrate an ability to critique and challenge theoretical ideas which have been proposed in one of the sub-fields of research in Linguistics
• Demonstrate some ability to move towards the resolution of empirical and/or theoretical puzzles that arise in the chosen area of research
• Demonstrate progress towards the ability to synthesise and to present complex ideas with clarity

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have:

• Relevant I-level module and H-level research module (such as one of the Advanced Topics modules, or any module that incorporates a research component)
• A mark of 60% or higher in the relevant I-level module(s) and an average of 60% or higher for Year 2. (Since this prerequisite cannot be fulfilled until the end of Year 2, students who register for a research extension must register for one additional back-up module, which will be dropped if this research extension prerequisite is met.)

In 2014–15, the Research Extension module can be combined with any of the following modules:

• Advanced Topics in Phonetics and Phonology
• Advanced Topics in LVC
• Advanced Topics in Syntax and Semantics
• Phonetics of Talk in Interaction
• First Language Syntax
• Bilingualism
• English Corpus Linguistics
• Introduction to Historical-Comparative Methods in Linguistics
• Information Structure

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Four tutorials to be scheduled as appropriate, alongside the relevant research module.

Teaching programme

The 4 tutorials will serve as opportunities to discuss the content of the research, including issues of research design, practical issues in data collection (if appropriate), as well theoretical background to the project.

Teaching materials

To be determined by the student in consultation with the module tutor.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Feedback consists of oral comments during tutorials and during the contact hours of the associated module.
• Written comments will be provided on partial drafts of the dissertation, where appropriate.

Assessment

• A 5000-word extension to an existing research project.

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

In addition, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in creativity and innovation: in this module you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen subject in greater depth, and will have to identify and implement the best way of doing so in the time available. This will also allow you to develop your skills of self management.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.