Examination arrangement

Course content

This course provides an introduction to central methodological issues within linguistic research. A primary goal is to give the students an understanding of the diversity of methods employed in linguistics. The course will discuss methodological approaches from a range of subdisciplines while offering the opportunity to specialise in at least one specific research method. The course aims to train students in developing research questions and to assess the applicability and relevance of different research methods, thus providing them with the foundation for developing individual master's projects.

The course covers topics such as inductive vs. deductive methods, qualitative vs. quantitative data, research ethics and criticism of sources. Furthermore, the students will be introduced to a wide range of methodological approaches, for example research interviews, participant observation, corpus linguistics, introspection, various experiments, questionnaires and document studies.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Candidates who have passed this course

- have knowledge about the diversity of methods employed in linguistics.

Skills

Candidates who have passed this course

- are able to evaluate the applicability and relevance of different research methods in the research of others as well as in their own.

- can develop linguistic research questions and at the same time describe which methods may be applicable to examine various problems.

- are able to give reasons why some methodological choices may be preferred in relation to specific research questions.

- have acquired skills in research methods which may be relevant for their own master's projects.

General competence

Candidates who have passed this course

- can reflect on different ethical aspects with respect to choice of method.

- can find information in a variety of digital and physical resources.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, practical exercises/tasks, possibly in a lab. The course is taught in English or Norwegian. Students are required to use the course learning platform regularly.

Students should expect that this 7.5 credit course equates with approximately 10 hours of work per week, including teaching time.

Obligatory assignment: Presentation (preferably in groups) of the method chosen in a specific linguistic research paper. The course teacher decides whether the presentation should be oral or in writing. Worth approximately 3000 words.

An approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Compulsory assignments

• Presentation (preferably in groups) of the method chosen in a specific linguistic research paper

Further on evaluation

The course is assessed by a portfolio examination. The portfolio will consist of 3-5 texts. The number of and further details for the texts will be identified by the course coordinator at the start of the term. The exam must be answered in Norwegian or English.

Recommended previous knowledge

Undergraduate language and linguistics courses.

It is expected that students who will be completing the course work and exam in English have a good command of the English language, enabling them to communicate well at an academic level. The level of English proficiency should be at least B2, preferably C1, using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale.

Required previous knowledge

At least 7.5 credits (studiepoeng) of courses in linguistics at ENG2000-, FRA2000-, LING2000-, NORD2000-, or TYSK2000-level.

Course materials

Curriculum/reading list will be made available at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions