• Offered by School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics
  • ANU College ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Classification Transitional
  • Course subject Linguistics
  • Areas of interest Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Johanna Rendle-Short
  • Mode of delivery Blended
  • Offered in First Semester 2014
    See Future Offerings

Research Design in (Applied) Linguistics is important for anyone who wants to undertake research in applied linguistics or linguistics. It is an introductory course designed to enable students to acquire an understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods used in linguistics and applied linguistics. It provides students with the basic skills for carrying out their research. Issues covered will include collecting, describing and interpreting data and reporting research findings. When discussing quantitative approaches (statistics), emphasis will be on the conceptual aspects of such procedures rather than on mechanical arithmetic aspects. Students will be given practical experience in the use of computers for statistical analysis.

This course is compulsory for graduate students who wish to undertake further research (thesis or sub-thesis) in any field of applied linguistics. It is recommended for graduate students who wish to undertake further research in linguistics. Students should consult with the convenor of Linguistics or Applied Linguistics or their potential supervisor as to whether or not they are required to take the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the expectations of the course, you should be able to

  1. Work in a group to critically compare and discriminate between different research methodologies in linguistics and applied linguistics.
  2. Critically assess the methodology (qualitative or quantitative) of a research project within your own discipline area.
  3. Critically assess the appropriateness of various methodological approaches in published applied linguistics articles.
  4. Carry out descriptive and statistical (quantitative) analysis of small data sets.
  5. Design, carry out and present (in both a written and oral format) a small project related to your own research interests.

Indicative Assessment

Participate in an Online discussion (25%), descriptive statistics assignment (10%), statistical analysis assignment (20%), and a 2,500 - 3000 word small research. Project due in the exam period (45%). Passing of the course is conditional on students passing all assessment items.

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

This course has a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial. The tutorial commences in the 3rd week of semester. In addition, students are expected to attend seminars within the linguistics and applied linguistics program.

Students can expect to undertake 7 - 8  hours of study per week outside of class time.

Prescribed Texts

Dörnyei, Z (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford Applied Linguistics: Oxford.

Preliminary Reading

Students will be given a full reading list at the beginning of the semester.

Assumed Knowledge

This course introduces graduate students to research methodologies in applied linguistics and linguistics. Students are not required to have completed any prior course before enrolling in this course. However, students will find the course most beneficial if they are currently engaged in their own research project.

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee Description
1994-2003 $1470
2014 $2478
2013 $2478
2012 $2358
2011 $2310
2010 $2250
2009 $2178
2008 $2178
2007 $2178
2006 $2178
2005 $2178
2004 $1836
International fee paying students
Year Fee
1994-2003 $3450
2014 $3762
2013 $3756
2012 $3582
2011 $3582
2010 $3576
2009 $3450
2008 $3450
2007 $3450
2006 $3450
2005 $3450
2004 $3450
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
4735 17 Feb 2014 07 Mar 2014 31 Mar 2014 30 May 2014 In Person N/A

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