Overview

What is research and how can we do it? What skills do you need to successfully conduct research? And, which of these skills are also relevant to the professional world? This module addresses questions like these, as it helps you to develop the research, academic and professional skills you need to be successful at university and beyond. You will explore different approaches to research and see how research has been conducted on a range of real-life issues and concerns connected to language, culture and communication. The lectures will provide you with knowledge about different research methods and the process of conducting research in general. The seminars, on the other hand, will help you develop your analytical toolkit that will serve you in multiple contexts, including your future workplace. This course also sets the foundation for later modules where you will conduct more extensive language, culture and communication research projects in topics that interest you.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Subject knowledge and understanding.
• Specify the minimum criteria for adequate research.
• Identify different approaches to research and the paradigmatic orientations underlying these.
• State the criteria, considerations and procedures necessary to ensure that ethical requirements are met.
• Identify and describe core methods for collecting data in language, culture and communication.
• Describe relevant procedures for analysing data quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Identify key issues in research on language, culture and communication.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and ability to use appropriately generic features of research designs and procedures found in published research articles.

Learning Experience

Lecture

Core content will be presented during weekly 2-hour lectures.

Seminar

We will meet in a weekly 1-hour small-group seminar to practice and apply course concepts.

Assessment

Essay

2000 word assignment

Examination

2-hour written examination (50%)

Preparatory Reading

• Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative Inquiry And Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions. London: Sage.