Students

SPHL3300 – Language as Evidence

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Elisabeth Harrison
Maria Herke
Maria Herke
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above including 20cp from (LING210-220 or LING2210-2240 OR PSY238 or PSYU2238)
Corequisites Corequisites
20cp in LING or SPH or SPHL units at 3000 level
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will integrate material covered in previous units to learn how your program of study fits together. You will explore the use of different types of empirical linguistic data to investigate aspects of language as small as the phoneme or as large as whole texts. The unit is project-based, enabling you to prepare for postgraduate and research studies in speech, hearing and language sciences, or for a wide range of professions in which collection or analysis of language data is relevant. Also covered are topics relating to the research process more generally, including: critical evaluation of the literature; ethical issues in research; defining research questions; collecting, presenting, analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data; providing constructive peer feedback; and effective oral and written presentation skills.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify research methods relevant to the study of speech, hearing and language sciences
  • ULO2: Describe the strengths and limitations of various speech, hearing and language research techniques
  • ULO3: Identify methods for collecting and analysing empirical speech, hearing and language data
  • ULO4: Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences
  • ULO5: Develop research protocols for presentation in both oral and written form, and revise proposals in light of peer feedback
  • ULO6: Critically evaluate published research, and provide constructive peer feedback on research proposals in speech, hearing and language sciences

General Assessment Information

Use of Generative AI Please refer to instructions from your lecturer on the use and acknowledgement of use of Generative AI in your submitted assignments

 

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours) 

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Literature Search 5% No Week 5
Reflections I and II 20% No Weeks 7 and 12
Oral presentation 25% No Week 8
Peer Feedback 10% No Weeks 9 and 10
Project proposal 40% No Week 13

Literature Search

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 5%

 

You will present the results of a database search related to your proposed individual research topic in your tutorial class.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences

Reflections I and II

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Weeks 7 and 12
Weighting: 20%

 

You will submit two (2) written reflections throughout semester, each worth 10% of the unit mark. Each reflection will be no more than 300 words in length.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify research methods relevant to the study of speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of various speech, hearing and language research techniques
  • Identify methods for collecting and analysing empirical speech, hearing and language data
  • Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Critically evaluate published research, and provide constructive peer feedback on research proposals in speech, hearing and language sciences

Oral presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%

 

You will deliver a 4-minute oral presentation with two (2) accompanying PowerPoint slides in your tutorial class. The oral presentation and PowerPoint slides should provide a summary of the essential aspects of your project proposal under the following headings: Project Title, Aims and Background, Significance and Innovation, Design and Methods, National Benefit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify research methods relevant to the study of speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of various speech, hearing and language research techniques
  • Identify methods for collecting and analysing empirical speech, hearing and language data
  • Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Develop research protocols for presentation in both oral and written form, and revise proposals in light of peer feedback

Peer Feedback

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Weeks 9 and 10
Weighting: 10%

 

You will provide anonymous peer feedback in the form of comments and/or questions on the oral presentations delivered by a selection of other students in the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify research methods relevant to the study of speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of various speech, hearing and language research techniques
  • Identify methods for collecting and analysing empirical speech, hearing and language data
  • Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Critically evaluate published research, and provide constructive peer feedback on research proposals in speech, hearing and language sciences

Project proposal

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

You will prepare and submit a 2,000 word proposal for an individualised research project that you have designed over the course of the unit. The proposal will cover the following aspects: Project Title, Aims and Background, Significance and Innovation, Design, Methods, National Benefit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify research methods relevant to the study of speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of various speech, hearing and language research techniques
  • Identify methods for collecting and analysing empirical speech, hearing and language data
  • Formulate and refine research questions in speech, hearing and language sciences
  • Develop research protocols for presentation in both oral and written form, and revise proposals in light of peer feedback
  • Critically evaluate published research, and provide constructive peer feedback on research proposals in speech, hearing and language sciences

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is designed to advance your understanding of language and how to study it. We will consider how to assemble and evaluate evidence for language-related phenomena, and look at best practice in linguistic research methods, with a focus on speech, hearing and language sciences. We will look closely at the research process: defining research questions, literature review and evaluation, ethical issues in research, analysis and interpretation of different types of language data, and effective presentation of research findings.

We will engage with these topics through readings, lectures, tutorial activities, online discussion, library resources, writing activities, and peer review. Details and a weekly schedule can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

 

 

PROFESSIONALISM

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. 

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook