Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Research Methods in English Studies
Code: 45345Credits: 5
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| English Studies: Linguistic, Literary and Sociocultural Perspectives | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Adriana Soto Corominas
- Email :
- adriana.soto@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Adriana Soto Corominas
- Francesca Blanch Serrat
- Sònia Mas Alcolea
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Objectives
- Compare and contrast different approaches and data collection methods in English Studies.
- Provide students with key methodological and analytical tools needed to carry out linguistic research at MA level.
- Understand the principles and practices of linguistic ethnography, experimental linguistics and textual/archival analysis.
- Design a study in English linguistics and English literature, taking into account ethical, practical and scientific considerations.
- Familiarise students with data collection methods in linguistics.
- Use textual analysis strategies for different literary genres.
Learning outcomes
- CA01 (Develop research projects in the field of English Studies that involve the formulation of questions and/or hypotheses, data collation and their preliminary analysis.) Develop research projects in the field of English Studies that involve the formulation of questions and/or hypotheses, data collation and their preliminary analysis.
- CA02 (Identify whether there is a gender bias in a research project and set out potential measures to correct this.) Identify whether there is a gender bias in a research project and set out potential measures to correct this.
- CA03 (Use digital tools for the exploitation of linguistic, literary, and cultural primary sources in the English language.) Use digital tools for the exploitation of linguistic, literary, and cultural primary sources in the English language.
- KA01 (Identify the main differences between the different research paradigms in the field of English language, literature, and cultural studies.) Identify the main differences between the different research paradigms in the field of English language, literature, and cultural studies.
- KA02 (Recognise the specific characteristics of academic writing in quantitative/experimental, qualitative/ethnographic linguistic approaches and in literary and cultural analysis.) Recognise the specific characteristics of academic writing in quantitative/experimental, qualitative/ethnographic linguistic approaches and in literary and cultural analysis.
- SA01 (Conduct statistical and interpretative analyses of distinct types of linguistic, literary, and cultural data.) Conduct statistical and interpretative analyses of distinct types of linguistic, literary, and cultural data.
- SA02 (Critically evaluate the design of the research, the processes for the selection of informants and linguistic, literary, and cultural data collection techniques based on the principles of research ethics.) Critically evaluate the design of the research, the processes for the selection of informants and linguistic, literary, and cultural data collection techniques based on the principles of research ethics.
- SA03 (Apply the principles of text analysis to the interpretation of the various literary genres.) Apply the principles of text analysis to the interpretation of the various literary genres.
- SA04 (Formulate research questions and hypotheses suitable for research into the English language that are both qualitative and quantitative.) Formulate research questions and hypotheses suitable for research into the English language that are both qualitative and quantitative.
- SA05 (Codify and analyse linguistic and literary data with the help of specific IT programs.) Codify and analyse linguistic and literary data with the help of specific IT programs.
Contents
This course is designed as an overview of the main methodological approaches used in English Studies research. Structured in three modules (quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and literary methods), this course offers a first introduction to the theoretical principles, research questions, analytical tools, and practices associated with each of these research paradigms.
The aim of each module is to introduce students to a different way of generating, analyzing, and interpreting knowledge within the field of English Studies. In each module, students will explore the distinctive characteristics of each methodological approach, the types of questions it can address, the sources and data it draws upon, as well as its advantages, limitations, and standards of academic rigour.
Qualitative Methods (21 September – 13 October 2026)
[Prof. Sònia Mas Alcolea]
- What and why of qualitative research
- The qualitative research process
- Reading and evaluating qualitative research
- Becoming a qualitative researcher
Quantitative Methods (19 October – 6 November 2026)
[Prof. Adriana Soto Corominas]
- Introduction to quantitative research
- Research design
- Data collection
- Data analysis
Literary Research (9–30 November 2026)
[Prof. Francesca Blanch Serrat]
- Literary archival research
- Principles of textual analysis
- Main currents of critical theory
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 18.75 | 0.75 | |
| Data collection and treatment | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Preparatory reading | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Practical exercises | 6.25 | 0.25 | |
| Tutorials | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Portfolio and exam preparation | 48.75 | 1.95 | |
| Class discussion | 6.25 | 0.25 |
Theoretical sessions to introduce concepts and explain processes.
Practical exercises in class.
Class discussion of assigned readings and data collection exercises.
Data collection, processing and analysis.
Tutorials.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative methods (formative assessment) | 25% | 0 | 0 | CA01, CA02, KA01, KA02, SA02, SA04 |
| Literary research (formative assessment) | 25% | 0 | 0 | CA03, KA01, KA02, SA01, SA03, SA05 |
| Quantitative methods (formative assessment) | 25% | 0 | 0 | CA01, CA03, KA01, KA02, SA01, SA02, SA04, SA05 |
| Summative assessment task in a module of the student's choice | 25% | 0 | 0 | CA01, CA02, CA03, KA01, KA02, SA01, SA02, SA03, SA04, SA05 |
The final mark for this course will be calculated as follows:
- Qualitative methods assessment: 25%
- Quantitative methods assessment: 25%
- Literary methods assessment: 25%
- Summative assessment task from one module chosen by the student: 25%
Students will complete one or more assessable tasks in each of the three modules. In addition, they will select one of the three modules and complete a more substantial summative assessment for that module. The mark obtained for this summative assessment will contribute the remaining 25% of the final course grade.
Procedure for reviewing grades awarded: On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
Reassessment: In order to pass the course, students must obtain an average of 5/10. The course average will only be calculated if the mark for each assessment item is at least 3.5/10. Students will be able to retake/rewrite failed items as long as the average mark for the course is equal to or above 3.5/10.
The student will obtain a "Not assessed/Not submitted" course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.
Students are required to employ non-sexist language in their written and oral productions. For guidelines on how to do this, they are advised to check thewebsite of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA): https://www.linguisticsociety.org/resource/lsa-guidelines-nonsexist-usage. Appropriate use of language will be part of the assessment criteria.
VERY IMPORTANT - PLAGIARISM. In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place.
In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject. Irregularities refer, for instance, to copying in an exam, copying from sources without indicating authorship, or a misuse of AI such as presenting work as original that has been generated by an AI tool or programme. These evaluation activities will not be re-assessed.
AI USE POLICY: This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a 0 without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
Single-assessment option: This module does not incorporate the single-assessment option.
Exchange students and assessment: Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.”
Bibliography
Qualitative Methods
Block, David (2024). Interviews in Applied Linguistics: Autobiographical Reflections on Research Processes. Routledge.
Blommaert, Jan & Dong Jie (2010) Ethnographic Fieldwork: A Beginner’s Guide. Multilingual Matters.
Boellstorff, Tom, Nardi, Bonnie, Pearce, Celia, and Taylor, T.L. (2012). Ethnography and virtual worlds: A handbook of method. Princeton University Press
Briggs, Charles L. (1986). Learning how to ask: A sociolinguistic appraisal of the role of the interview in social science research. Cambridge University Press.
Bucholtz, Mary (2000) The politics of transcription. Journal of Pragmatics, 32, 1439-1465.
Cameron, Deborah (2001). Working with spoken discourse. Sage
D’Arcy, Alexandra and Young, Taylor Marie (2012). Ethics and social media: Implications for sociolinguistics in the networked public. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 16(4), 532-546.
Heller, Monica, Pietikäinen, Sari. & Joan Pujolar (2018) Critical Sociolinguistic Research Methods. Routledge.
Mason, Jennifer (2017) [3rd Ed.] Qualitative Researching. Sage.
Sanjek, Roger (1990). A Vocabulary of Fieldnotes. In Roger Sanjek (Ed.) Fieldnotes: The Makings of Anthropology (pp. 92-138). Cornell University Press.
Talmy, Steven (2010). Qualitative interviews in applied linguistics: From research instrument to social practice. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 30(1), 128-148.
Tusting, Karin (Ed.) (2019). The Routledge Handbook of Linguistic Ethnography. Routledge.
Wei, Li and Melissa G. Moyer (Eds.) (2008). The Blackwell Guide to Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism. Blackwell.
Quantitative methods
Hakemulder, Frank, van Peer, Willie, & Zyngier, Sonia. (2014). Muses and measures: Empirical researchmethods for the humanities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Levshina, Natalia. (2015). How to do linguistics with R. John Benjamins
Podesva, Robert J., & Sharma, Devyani. (Eds.). (2014). Research methods in linguistics. Cambridge University Press.
Literary Methods
Bod, Rens, Jaap Maat and Thijs Weststeijn. (2010). The Making of the Humanities, Vol. I and II. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. [available online]
Bowers, Fredson. (2023). Principles of Bibliographical Description. Winchester and New Castle, Delaware: St Paul's Bibliographies, Oak Knoll Press.
Culler, Jonathan. (2011). Literary Theory: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Driscoll, Matthew James and Elena Pierazzo. (2016). Digital Scholarly Editing. Cambridge: Open Book Publishers. [available online]
Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. 2nd ed., Blackwell, 1996.
Fraistat, Neil and Julia Flanders, eds. (2013). The Cambridge Companion to Textual Scholarship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [available online]
Greetham, D. C. (1994). Textual Scholarship: An Introduction. New York, London: Routledge. [available online]
Kusch, Celena. Literary Analysis: The Basics. (2016). New York, London: Routledge. [available online]
Software
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |