1. Research methods

2. General principles Working with data Framing research questions Generalisations/conclusions Description/explanation/theory Replicability/clarity Putting work in a research context

3. Stages of research Identify general area Engage in background reading (notes & refs) Identify poss. issues/questions Identify poss. sample/case studies/data Research models Draft lit survey

4. Consider design & methodology What sort of data? What interests You? Appropriate method? Survey Observation Documents Interviews Recordings Case studies

5. Method depends on question and data Quantitative Statistics –counting Qualitative Judgements – perceptions A mixture of both

6. Quantitative Generalisability/representativeness Sampling Random/Stratified/Quota Variables Gender/age/class/ethnicity etc.

7. Quantitative design Hypothesis (often not always) Usually deductive - general to specific Numerical analysis Comparison Objectivity Pilot

8. Qualitative Description and analysis Bounded phenomenon (Miles & Huberman, 1994) Detail/close analysis Inductive – observations/patterns/data towards theory Hypothesis generating rather than testing

9. Qualitative Often small number of participants Case study Large amount of data (patterns) Different types of data E.g. interview, observation, documents

10. Mixture Questionnaires can be quantitatively or qualitatively analysed My accent is stronger than my mother’s Disagree strongly 1 2 3 4 5 Agree strongly Is your accent stronger or weaker than your mother’s and where is it most noticeable?

11. Commonalities Longitudinal or cross sectional Reliability testing Link to theoretical issues Organised collection of data Consider ethical/practical issues Exceptions explained not ignored

12. Resources Davies, M. B. (2007) Doing a successful research project: using qualitative or quantitative methods. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Mason, J. (1996) Qualitative Researching, London: Sage. Silverman, D. 2000. Doing Qualitative Research. London: Sage. Wray, A., Trott, K., and Bloomer, A. (2 nd ed) (2006). Projects in linguistics: a practical guide to researching language. London: Arnold.