LING4140 – Linguistic Method

Course content

This course provides an introduction to research design, with a focus on the range of methods that are currently used to investigate language. The course follows the interconnected steps of designing, conducting, and disseminating research and illustrates how linguistic phenomenon can be investigated through a range of different approaches. A variety of methodologies for data collection and analysis are exemplified, and the strengths and limitations of each option are discussed. Students engage in research design, data analysis, writing, and critique, with a focus on the area that they plan to research. 

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course students will:

• Have knowledge about the research design process with a focus on language research, including consideration of research paradigm, data collection, analysis, and ethics.
• Be able to formulate research questions related to language research, and consider the methodological options available to answer those questions.
• Be familiar with a range of data collection and analysis methodologies that are currently used in linguistic research.
• Critically evaluate and compare research designs and methodological choices.
• Be able to access the resources available to support research at UiO/ ILN, including the library, Text Laboratory, Socio-Cognitive Laboratory, and data collection, storage, and analysis technologies.
• Be aware of strategies for writing and disseminating research results for scholarly and popular audiences.  

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.

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.

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

The minimum number of attendants for the course is 5.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with LING4100 – Språkvitenskapelige metoder og feltarbeid (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with SPR4140 – Språkvitenskapelig metode (continued).
• 5 credits overlap with NOR4170 – Metode og prosjekt i nordisk språkvitenskap (discontinued).

Teaching

Classes are given throughout the semester, 15 double lectures and three group sessions in total.

Each student has to complete a compulsory assignment given by the lecturer during the course of the seminar. The assignment must be approved by the lecturer before the student can take the final exam.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Portfolio

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian or 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

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination

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.