EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED AND COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS

This course provides an introduction to the main principles of research methods in applied linguistics. Students following this course will learn to design an applied linguistics study, to implement simple experiments with Pavlovia and to reason critically on published research papers.

Core topics covered in this course include:
- applied linguistics as a science
- experimental research designs in applied linguistics
- main research techniques used in psycholinguistics, theoretical linguistics and computational linguistics
- a gentle introduction to Pavlovia (an online platform developed to facilitate the implementation and deployment of online studies)
- research ethics

1. Knowledge and understanding

- familiarity with the basic terminology and understanding of the relevant scientific literature
- familiarity with the best practices for conducting original scientific research in applied linguistics
- familiarity with the Pavlovia environment
- knowledge of the good research practice that ensure reproducibility, integrity and quality of research

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

- ability to set up a quantitative study
- knowledge of the features and limitations of the most widely used experimental paradigms in applied linguistics
- ability to propose insightful ideas

3. Making judgements

- awareness of the technical and deontological issues connected to the most widely used experimental paradigms in applied linguistics
- critically evaluate quantitative analyses and research papers in a range of linguistic sub-fields
- ability to compare competing hypotheses

4. Communication skills

- ability to interact with the other students and the instructor during lab sessions
- ability to properly communicate research findings

5. Learning skills

- ability to learn more advanced experimental paradigms
- ability to learn to use other application to run

Basic computer skills
Main concepts of general linguistics
Basic mathematics skills

- Types of Variables
- Types of Experiments
- Hypothesis Testing
- Validity and Reliability
- Between-Subjects, Within-Subjects, and Mixed Designs
- Interactions
- Research Ethics
- A gentle introduction to the Pavlovia environment

Course Textbooks:

- Morling, B. (2020) Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of Information (4th ed.). Norton & Company,
- Zufferey, S. and P. Gygax (2024, eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Experimental Linguistics. Routledge.

Supplementary reading material published on the university e-learning platform

Learning assessment will rely on a written test comprising both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, alogside a few practical excercises. Attending students will be given the possibility to integrate their grade by performing in-class practical activities.

More in detail:
Knowledge and comprehension: assessed through multiple-choice questions
Applying knowledge and comprehension: assessed through open-ended questions and practical exercises
Making judgements: assessed through specific multiple-choice questions
Communicative skills: assessed through practical exercises

Lecture-style presentations, lab sessions and workgroup activities. In-class participation is strongly recommended.

English

written