Bachelor’s Degree Lecture: Qualitative methods in applied linguistics

obligatory courses

Students know English at least at the C1 level (allowing them to read and understand academic papers in applied linguistics and write a BA thesis)

Classroom

The course is intended for third-year B.A. students. Students will acquire the basic knowledge and skills preparing them to write a B.A. thesis in applied linguistics (particularly in intercultural communication) using qualitative methods.

This course aims to prepare students to write a B.A. thesis in applied linguistics, using a qualitative research approach. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of qualitative data collection and analysis methods in applied linguistics, as well as learn about the practical aspects of writing up research and develop basic skills to conduct such research.

The scope of the course:

(1) An introduction to qualitative methods in applied linguistics.

(2) Qualitative research approaches (i.a., narrative inquiry, cases studies, ethnography).

(3) Qualitative data collection methods (i.a., observation, interview).

(4) Practical guidelines for writing a B.A. thesis.

Course workload:

Classroom activities – 30 hrs

Self-study – 60 hrs, including:

- homework assignments – 50 hrs

- preparation for the final exam – 10 hrs

Total: 90 hrs (3 ECTS)

(1) Brown, J. D. (2004). Research methods for applied linguistics: Scope, characteristics, and standards. In A. Davies & C. Elder (Eds.), Handbook of applied linguistics (pp. 476–500). John Wiley & Sons.

(2) Filipović, J. (2019). Transdisciplinary qualitative paradigm in applied linguistics: autoethnography, participatory action research and minority language teaching and learning. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 32(5), 493–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2019.1597209

(3) Heigham, J. & Croker, R.A. (2009). Qualitative research in applied linguistics. A practical introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.

(4) Hu, Y., & Fan, W. (2011). An exploratory study on intercultural communication research contents and methods: A survey based on the international and domestic journal papers published from 2001 to 2005. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(5), 554–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.12.004

(5) Hua, Z. (Ed.). (2016). Identifying research paradigms. In: Research methods in intercultural communication (pp. 3-22). Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell.

(6) Phakiti, A., De Costa, P., Plonsky, L., Starfield, S. (Eds.). (2018). The Palgrave handbook of applied linguistics. Research methodology. Palgrave Macmillan.

(7) Saldaña, J. (2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage Publications.

(8) Silverman, D. (2011). Interpreting qualitative data (5th ed.). London: SAGE.

(9) William, N. (2005). Your research project (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Knowledge: K_W01, K_W02, K_W03, K_W05, K_W06, K_W07.

Skills: K_U02, K_U03, K_U04, K_U06; S_U04, K_U08.

Socio-cultural competencies: K_K03, K_K01, K_K03, K_K06.

Assessment of student performance:

- performing an in-class assignment (a presentation, completing homework assignments) (50% of the final grade);

- a written final exam checking the student’s theoretical knowledge (50% of the final grade).

Assessment criteria:

The student is eligible to take the exam after completing in-class and homework assignments that check their ability to practically use the knowledge produced in the class. The student needs to reach at least 60% of the total score to complete the task.

At the end of the course, the student takes a final exam. The student needs to reach at least 60% of the total score to pass the exam.

To complete the course, passing both in-class and homework assignments and the final exam is required.

The final exam will evaluate:

• theoretical knowledge produced during the course.

The overall result is established in accordance with the following scale:

• over 90% – 5.0

• 85%-89% – 4.5

• 80%-84% – 4.0

• 70%-79% – 3.5

• 60%-69% – 3.0

N/A