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Experimental Methods in Psycholinguistic Research - LAN00094M

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

In this module you’ll be learning fundamental aspects of experimental theory and getting experience with implementing and analysing psycholinguistic experiments. Our primary focus will be on methods and questions in language processing, but the principles covered should readily generalise to other domains. This module is designed to work in tandem with Advanced Topics in Language Processing and Quantitative Methods.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Additional information

The prerequisites listed or approved equivalents are required for students who wish to take this module. 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The goal of this module is to get you acquainted with some of the primary methodologies in psycholinguistics and to help you better implement those methods when you need to use them. The module covers the following topics:

  • Fundamentals of experiment design

  • Fundamentals of linear regression

  • Self-paced reading and behavioural studies

  • Implementing internet-based experiments

  • Analysing data in R

The ultimate aim of this module is to equip you with the wherewithal to implement your experiment(s) for your master's dissertation. By the end of this module, you should have (i) an enhanced understanding of experimental theory (ii) greater facility with technical reporting in psycholinguistics, and (iii) experience implementing and analysing psycholinguistic experiments.

Module learning outcomes

  • Sharpen research questions into experimentally testable predictions

  • Design a repeated-measures factorial experiment

  • Apply linear and/or logistic regression techniques to experimental data

  • Connect experimental manipulations to specific statistical tests

  • Implemented pilot experiment and sample statistical analysis

Module content

This module will cover topics including:

  • Repeated measures factorial experiment design

  • Linear and logistic regression

  • Mixed effects regression

  • Behavioural methods in psycholinguistics

  • Conducting experiments over the internet

  • Data analysis and visualisation in R

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Formative assessment - Group feedback on sample stimuli and experiment implementation. Joint, worked-through pilot analysis.
Summative assessment - Annotation on submitted work

Indicative reading

TBA


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.