175-507 Quantitative Methods in Language Studies

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in linguistics and applied linguistics.

This is an introductory subject designed to enable students to acquire the basic tools necessary for critically reading about and carrying out quantitative empirical research in applied linguistics. Students will be given practice in the application of statistics in the analysis of data obtained from research and will be introduced to the use of computers with statistical packages to analyse data. Throughout, there will be a focus on the practicality and usefulness of the skills developed for the tasks of understanding research literature in applied linguistics, and of carrying out research in settings relevant to students. No prior knowledge of mathematics or of statistical procedures will be assumed.

• develop skills in critical thinking and analysis;

• develop skills in analysing data;

• develop their computer skills.

Six short homework assignments of 250 words each 30% (over the course of the semester), a 90-minute take-home test 30% (at the end of the semester) and a data analysis paper of 2000 words 40% (due after the end of the semester).

• J D Brown, Understanding research in second language learning. Cambridge University Press 1988.