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Advanced Topics in Phonetics & Phonology - LAN00013H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

In this module, students will be introduced to concepts, methods, and conventions for the design and implementation of a research project in Phonetics and Phonology on a topic of their choice within a set theme for the year. The module trains students in academic skills and fosters independent study for every stage in the research process: coming up with a research question, doing bibliographical research, collecting and analysing data with appropriate methods, and writing up the research paper.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to support and foster advanced independent research in phonetics and/or phonology, and to train students in professional-level research and presentation skills. Students will be developing a short research project of a topic of their interest closely aligned with the theme set for each academic year.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students will be able to:

· identify a research question and frame it in the context of relevant literature

· analyse data within a current model of phonetic and/or phonological theory

· present data as evidence in support of a theoretical argument in different forms

· manage your workload on an independent research project.

Module content

  1. Identifying key literature. Bibliographical research and reference management.

  2. Designing a project in phonetics and phonology. What it entails and best practice.

  3. Data collection and ethics.

  4. Data analysis. Methods and tools in phonetics and phonology.

  5. Qualitative approaches

  6. Quantitative approaches: descriptive and inferential statistics; hypothesis testing.

  7. Writing a scientific paper. Steps and conventions.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback on Formative 1 will be provided in written and oral format on the very same session by the lecturer and class peers.

Formative feedback on the Research Proposal will be returned on Week 8. Feedback on the Academic Poster will be given orally and on a feedback form on the day of the presentation. Feedback on the summative assignment will be provided within 25 working days of the submission deadline.

Indicative reading

Di Paolo, M., & Yaeger-Dror, M. (2011). Sociophonetics: A student’s guide. Routledge.

Knight, R.-A., & Setter, J. (2021). The Cambridge Handbook of Phonetics. Cambridge University Press. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dqZOEAAAQBAJ

For the development of their projects, students are invited to find suitable papers in the following sources:

  • Journal of Phonetics

  • Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA)

  • Laboratory Phonology

  • Journal of the International Phonetic Association

  • English Language and Linguistics

  • Language Variation and Change

  • Language and Speech

  • Journal of English Linguistics

  • Interactional Linguistics

  • short papers from conferences such as:

    • ICPhS (International Congress of the Phonetic Sciences)

    • Interspeech

    • New Sounds


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.