Students
LING399 – Language as Evidence
2014 – S2 Day
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jan Tent
Contact via Email
C5A528
By appointment
Convenor
Linda Cupples
Contact via Email
AHH 3N.517
By appointment
Margaret Wood
Linda Cupples
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp including 6cp from [(LING210(P) or LING217(P)) or (LING211(P) or LING218(P)) or LING214(P) or PSY238(P) or (LING216(P) or LING219(P) or LING220)]
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
6cp in LING or SPH units at 300 level
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Through an understanding of corpus use (or corpus building), language samples, and other forms of empirical linguistic data, this unit integrates the material covered in previous units, helping students as they approach graduation understand how their program of study fits together. For instance, computer corpora (written, spoken and signed language) provide a rich resource for investigating any aspect of language: as small as the phoneme or as large as whole texts. In this project-based unit, students will prepare themselves either for postgraduate studies in linguistics or for professions in which collecting language data, and its analysis and investigation, are relevant. The unit also shows how language data can complement other forms of linguistic description. This unit will also cover general research principles, the research process, ethical issues in research, defining research questions, data gathering, presentation, analysis and interpretation of data, disseminating research, organising reports, presenting results, and effects on practice.
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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:
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
General Assessment Information
Late Penalties
Please note that:
- Unless students have negotiated an extension based on documented evidence of significant disruption to their studies, a penalty of 5% per day will apply to late submission of assignments.
- Again, unless otherwise negotiated, assignments will not be accepted at all AFTER the date on which the marked assignments are returned to all students in the unit.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI assisted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | 15% | Week 4 | No | ||
| Oral presentation | 15% | Week 7 | No | ||
| Reflection | 25% | Week 11 | No | ||
| Journal article | 45% | Week 13 | No |
Research Proposal
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
In undertaking this task, please follow the outline provided on the LING399 iLearn page. The task is designed to allow you to plan your research project, and to think through the process of undertaking the research. It is also designed to focus on something that is ‘close’ to your own interests or may be relevant to your current/future work circumstances.
Length
1 A4 page (double-spaced, 12 point font)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Oral presentation
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
Audio-recorded oral presentation of your research proposal with accompanying PowerPoint.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
Reflection
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
For this task, you are asked to write THREE entries of about 400 to 500 words each (i.e. 1,200 to 1,500 words in total) reflecting on your learning in each section of the unit as outlined below:
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Weeks 1 - 4: Ethics in research; Development of your research question
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Weeks 5 - 7: Development of your poster; Structure of your research project
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Weeks 8 - 10: The research itself (i.e. literature review, development of methodology and instrument, and analysis of data
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
Journal article
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 45%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
To complete this task, you need to conduct the research you proposed earlier in the semester and write up the research in the form of a journal article. Its structure should follow that of your research proposal closely with the addition of a results and discussion section. your report should be written following the style guide of Language, the Journal of the Linguistics Society of America.
Length: 2,500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Delivery and Resources
DELIVERY AND RESOURCES
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The learning and teaching strategies used in this unit are face-to-face seminars, individual study, and interaction with iLearn discussion.
Any course notes are accessible on the iLearn website itself (Unit Content).
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Currently, there is no textbook for this unit. However, a range of texts are recommended. please see the LING399 iLearn site for the current list.
Unit Webpage
The LING399 iLearn website has a range of resources, including course notes, tasks, (online discussions, etc).To login to the website, go to: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
Online Resources
There is a range of other resources available to Macquarie students, including:
- electronic access to a variety of book chapters and journal articles at http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/library/borrowing/reserve/
- electronic access to journals at http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/library/research/journalfinder/
- electronic document delivery for journal articles and book chapters not available locally at http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/library/borrowing/borrowing_from_other_libraries/
Student Support Services
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au
There is a range of other resources available for Macquarie students, including:
- electronic access to a variety of book chapters and journal articles
- electronic access to journals
- a mailing/fax service where book chapters and journal articles can be sent to distance students.
Technologies used and Required
None.
Unit Schedule
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Week |
Topic (Lecturers) |
To do |
|---|---|---|
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1 6 August |
Introduction to LING399
(Prof Linda Cupples, Dr Jan Tent) |
Boud, David & David Walker. (1998) Promoting Reflection in Professional Courses: The Challenge of Context. Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 23, No. 2, p.p. 191-206. Punch, K.F. (1998). Introduction to Social Research. Sage. Chapters 3 & 12 [Available on iLearn].
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2 13 August |
Literature search in Library
(Library Staff, Dr Jan Tent) |
Brew, Angela. (2001) Conceptions of Research: A Phenomenographic Study. Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 271-285. [Available on iLearn].
(a) Find the readings for weeks 1, 2, and 3 in the appropriate databases and either save them or make copies of them. (b) Go to the LLBA and find all the journal articles listed for Linda Cupples. Use APA referencing style. Go to www.apastyle.org for APA 6th edition referencing style guide. Send results to Jan Tent at jan.tent@mq.edu.au. |
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3 20 August |
Ethical issues in linguistic research
(Prof Linda Cupples, Dr Jan Tent) |
Rieschild, V.R. (2003) Origami in a Hurricane: Current Challenges to Linguistic Research. Australian Journal of Linguistics, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 71-98. [Available on iLearn].
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4 27 August |
Using corpora for research projects
(Dr Jan Tent) |
Cheng, W. (2012). Exploring Corpus Linguistics: Language in Action. Routledge. Chapters 1, 2 & 3. [Available on iLearn].
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5 3 Sept |
Research design
(Dr Jan Tent) |
Punch, K.F. (1998). Introduction to Social Research. Sage. Chapters 5 & 8. [Available on iLearn].
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6 10 Sept. |
Class discussion of students’ research questions and potential associated designs
(Prof Linda Cupples, Dr Jan Tent) |
Punch, K.F. (1998). Introduction to Social Research. Sage. Chapters 3 & 4. [Available on iLearn].
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7 17 Sept. |
Critical evaluation of research
(Prof Linda Cupples, Dr Jan Tent) |
Read the following article for this week’s class and be prepared to critically evaluate the study described, and to discuss in class. Richard K. Peach (2002). Treatment for phonological dyslexia targeting regularity effects. Aphasiology 16:8, 779-789. Use the Critique Guidelines as a template for your critical evaluation. [Available on iLearn]
https://student.unsw.edu.au/writing-critical-review www.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/82798/criticalreview.pdf |
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Mid-semester break |
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8 8 Oct. |
Research Project Workshop
(Dr Jan Tent) |
Bordens, K.S. & B.B. Abbott (2002) Research Design and Methods, Chapter 15, Reporting your research results. [Available on iLearn].
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9 15 Oct. |
Research Project Workshop
(Dr Jan Tent) |
[Available on iLearn].
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/literature http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/lit-reviews/index.xml http://www.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/82796/LitReview.pdf |
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10 22 Oct. |
Research Project Workshop
(Dr Jan Tent) |
Punch, K.F. (1998). Introduction to Social Research. Sage. Chapters 7 & 10. [Available on iLearn].
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11 29 Oct. |
Research Project Workshop
(Dr Jan Tent) |
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/writeup.php http://depts.washington.edu/uwmcnair/chapter12.writing.pdf
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12 5 Nov. |
Problem-solving Workshop
(Dr Jan Tent) |
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13 12 Nov. |
Unit evaluations
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Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Academic Honesty
As a good student, you are responsible for ensuring academic integrity practices are followed at all times. Your first step is to read the University's Academic Honesty Policy, and make sure you know what constitutes good practice. Then make sure you know how to reference and cite correctly. There are other practices we need to consider, and one of these is the potential for collusion.
Informal study groups are encouraged as a good way to assist your learning, but please remember that all your independently assessed assignments must be totally independently completed. Unless you are doing a group project where each member contributes to producing one piece of work, for which you get the one mark, using part or all of someone else's work constitutes collusion and breaches the University's Academic Honesty policy.
Do not collude with any other student by selling, giving, lending, explaining or showing all or parts of your independently assessed work/answers/past or current assignments, and do not ask to buy, borrow, see and use all or parts of the work of another student.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Reflection
- Journal article
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Reflection
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Journal article
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Reflection
- Journal article
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Journal article
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Journal article
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand a range of research methods relevant to the study of Linguistics, and Speech Hearing and Language sciences
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Reflection
- Journal article
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the strengths and limitations of a range of linguistic research techniques
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Identify and understand a range of methods for collecting empirical linguistic data and conducting appropriate analyses on it
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Assessment tasks
- Research Proposal
- Oral presentation
- Journal article
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Formulate and refine research questions relating to issues in general and applied linguistics
- Develop a research proposal and present it in the form of a poster
- Conduct a research project and present it in the form of a journal article
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01/08/2014 | Learning outcomes updated |
| 14/01/2014 | The Prerequisites and Corequisites were updated. |