Mixed-methods research in applied linguistics

Teacher(s)

Suner Munoz Ferran (coordinator);

Language

English
> French-friendly

Prerequisites

Consolidated B2 level in English. Basic knowledge of research methodology in experimental and applied linguistics. 

Main themes

This course focuses on the integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods in linguistics research. It will address the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of mixed-methods research. Students will also be introduced to various mixed-methods research designs, as well as methods to collect and analyze natural language data in current empirical linguistics research. 
Special emphasis will be placed on how employing both quantitative and qualitative methods can lead to empirical convergence or highlight divergences in complex linguistic phenomena. The course will also provide insights into drawing conclusions from mixed-methods datasets (meta-inferences). The practical application of the concepts and techniques will be facilitated through the development and implementation of a small-scale mixed-methods research project in replication of already existing empirical studies.  

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Understand and describe the ontological and epistemological foundations of mixed-methods research and explain their implications for conceptual, theoretical, and practical research frameworks in linguistics research.
2	Evaluate the appropriateness of different mixed-methods research designs for specific linguistics research questions and identify their strategies for integrating quantitative and qualitative data.
3	Design mixed-methods research proposal that integrates the concepts and techniques learned in the course and applies them to data collection and analysis.
4	Interpret mixed-methods research data to draw meta-inferences and compare findings from different data sources to identify patterns or inconsistencies reflecting the complexity of linguistic phenomena.

Content

• Key notions and basic definitions, with an emphasis on the ontological and epistemological aspects of MMR.
• The role of MMR throughout the research cycle, addressing conceptual, methodological, and procedural stages.
• Taxonomy of MMR designs (Sequential Explanatory, Sequential Exploratory, Sequential Transformative, Concurrent Triangulation, Concurrent Embedded, Concurrent Transformative) and related practical aspects, including strategies for data collection, analysis, and drawing meta-inferences.
• In-depth investigation of model studies illustrating the application of MMR in real-world research in applied linguistics.

 

Teaching methods

The course adopts a project-based learning approach in view of equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of mixed-methods research (MMR) and foster practical skills in its application. Students will take part in specific projects spanning over several weeks. The course will have three phases:

• The onboarding phase, which will focus on building a foundational understanding of mixed-methods research and will equip students with the foundations.
• The discovery phase is designed as a series of interactive workshops, offering hands-on exposure to a wide range of research methods that can be implemented in mixed-methods studies.
• In the playground phase, students will apply their knowledge and skills by conducting a methodological reapplication study based on one of the original research articles from the course's reference list. Students will work in teams to reapply the methodology of the selected study using the same mixed-methods approach. The results of the methodological reapplication study will be presented during a student conference, where each team will share their findings and act as respondents to peer presentations, thus simulating an academic research environment.

This course will include a Blended Intensive Program (BIP) component, which will provide the students with the opportunity to take part in a short mobility exchange and work with students from other universities of the Circle U alliance throughout the different phases of the course.

 

Evaluation methods

Continuous assessment (50% of the final grade):

• Active participation in the course sessions and activities (class interaction, group work, participation in the on-site study week in Louvain-la-Neuve, organized jointly with other Circle U partner universities (25%)
• Presentation of the results of the methodological reapplication study (in research teams) in the student conference (25%)

Final assessment (50% of the final grade):
Submission of a research report (written by research teams) on the application of mixed-methods research through the methodological reapplication study. The report should provide a detailed account of the methodological reapplication process, including a description of the original study, an analysis of the chosen methods, and a discussion of the findings in comparison to the original research. It will also include a critical reflection on the challenges encountered, the strategies used to address them, and the broader implications for mixed-methods research. The report will be assessed on clarity, depth of analysis, methodological rigor, and critical insight.

Online resources

For this course, the UCLearn moodle platform will be used instead of the regular moodle platform.

Faculty or entity

> ELAL