LIN 601 - RESEARCH METHODS IN LINGUISTICS

College of Arts & Sciences

Credits: 3

Students pursuing an MA degree in Linguistic Theory & Typology (MALTT) must be equipped with a toolbox of suitable methods for gathering, analyzing, and modeling linguistic data. This course introduces a range of research methods which are widely applicable in scientific investigation but whose linguistic relevance we shall emphasize here. The methods are (1) statistical analysis, (2)computational modeling, (3) field work and (4) experimental techniques. Overarching all these methods is the scientific method of enquiry, a recursive and cumulative process of gathering data and building, testing, and refining hypotheses, and interpreting all results. Some of the questions that students will learn how to answer are: Are my data collection methods sufficiently rigorous? Are the results of my data analysis statistically significant? Does my hypothesis control for variables? Is my hypothesis computationally tractable? Are my methods and their results replicable? The course also introduces students to major primary and secondary resources for linguistic research, including the principal bibliographic and indexing services, leading professional journals, major disciplinary organizations, significant traditional and online collections of linguistic data, etc. These resources will be discussed for each of the disciplinary strengths represented in the MALTT program.

Prerequisite(s):
Prereq: LIN 211 or equivalent