ENG4112 – Methods in English Language Research

Course content

The course gives an introduction to methods that are common in linguistic research and relates methodological choices to fundamental differences between theories of language. It also focuses on the formulation of research questions, how to do a literature review, and the formal requirements of a master’s thesis.

The course provides writing practice, work on academic conventions for thesis writing, and practice in using library resources.

During the methods course, you will be assigned a discussion group and introduced to methods for giving and receiving feedback. The discussion groups are meant to continue meeting during the year when you write your Master`s theses, so that the group members can provide each other with academic and social support.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will have acquired:

• in-depth knowledge of important research methods in English language research
• the ability to formulate your own research questions
• the ability to choose appropriate theories and methods depending on your chosen subdiscipline and research questions, taking into account ethical considerations
• the ability to find, review and reference relevant literature
• the ability to write up a piece of research
• advanced academic writing skills within English language Research
• the ability to communicate about linguistic research, theories and methods, both with specialists and the general public

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

This course is for students admitted to the master programmes European Languages (master's two years) (programme option English Language and Linguistics), and Lektorprogrammet (master – 5 år).

Students enrolled in other master`s degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with ENG4100 – English Language Research: Methods and Thesis Outline (discontinued).

Teaching

The course is taught throughout the semester with a 2-hour seminar per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.

Obligatory activities:

• Obligatory activities for the course consist of first drafts of your portfolio assignments. You will receive feedback on the assignments, which will be collected in a portfolio and submitted again at the end of the course (see "Examination" below). Read more about guidelines for compulsory activities and about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.

If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.

Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The exam form is a portfolio consisting of 3 pieces of work, totaling 12-15 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). One of these is a thesis outline.

The grade is based on the portfolio as a whole.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

A portfolio or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.