- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
In this module, you will develop research skills for studying sociolinguistic phenomena, and particularly language variation and change. This course will walk you through the process of carrying out a sociolinguistic study, from the logic of selecting a variable to study through to data analysis.
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
With respect to prerequisites the following modules are equivalent:
Second year modules
Intermediate Language Variation and Change, Sociolinguistics
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
This module will allow you to undertake a research project of your own devising. In doing this you will have the opportunity to develop your research abilities, including the formulation of research questions and data elicitation and analysis techniques. The module will develop your skills in working independently. It will also further your time management skills. These are skills which are essential in most professional roles.
On completion of this module, you should be able to:
frame a set of research questions in the context of relevant literature
apply basic principles of research design
conduct data collection and analysis
present quantitative summaries of data effectively
manage some basic statistical techniques
manage the workload on an independent research project
The course will be very 'hands on'. Much of your work for the course will be done in seminars and in partial collaboration with your classmates.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 80 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 100 |
Students will receive written feedback on their assessments within the Feedback Turnaround Time of 25 days.
Holmes, J. and Hazen, K. (2013) Research Methods in Sociolinguistics: a practical guide. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Mallinson, C., Childs, B. and Van Herk, G. (2013) Data Collection in Sociolinguistics: Methods and applications. New York: Routledge.
Milroy, L. and Gordon, M., (2003) Sociolinguistics: Method and Interpretation. Oxford: Blackwell. [e-book]
Tagliamonte, S. (2006) Analysing Sociolinguistic Variation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.