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

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

Learning methods and activities

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

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

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.

Compulsory assignments

• Presentasjon av metodevalg i en konkret språkvitenskapelige studie, fortrinnsvis i grupper.

Recommended previous knowledge

Undergraduate language and linguistics courses

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