Language and linguistics today: Experimental methods in linguistics 2510-f1ENG3S-LLT-EML

The course offers an overview of experimental methods in linguistics. It will focus on selected tools and procedures for data collection in experiments, with the focus on behavioural experiments and semiotic games. It will introduce the students to selected equipment (e.g., eye tracking, motion capture) and selected software (e.g., experiment builders) used for experimental research in linguistics. After the course, the students will be able to critically evaluate experimental research in linguistics and to carry out their own experimental research project.

Content distribution:

- Introduction: course aims and content, learning outcomes, assessment criteria, code of conduct;
- Historical and philosophical perspectives on the use of experimental methods in linguistics;
- Experimental design: basic concepts, types of variables, experimental paradigms, behavioural experiments, semiotic games;
- Tools for data collection: introduction to selected equipment and software (e.g., brain imaging, eye tracking, motion capture, video analysis, depending on availability);
- Tools for data processing and analysis: introduction to selected data processing procedures and software;
- Practical and ethical issues in experimental research: measurement reliability, replicability, participants recruitment, regulations, rules of ethical research;
- Guided independent project: a mini-study designed and conducted by the students, presented in the form of a conference poster.

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: - participation in classes – 30 hrs Self-study hours: - preparation of group project – 45 hrs - preparation for classes (reading, at-home assingments) – 50 hrs

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W1. The student has advanced knowledge of specialist variants of English language, specifically academic discourse. (K_W10)

Learning outcomes - skills

U1. The student is able to search, analyse, assess, select, and use information needed for research with the use of accurate and diverse sources. (K_U01) U2. The student is able to read and understand texts in English language. (K_U02) U3. The student is able to use selected theoretical approaches and paradigms suitable for philology. (K_U06) U4. The student is able to work in accordance with the objectives and instructions of the research project supervisor. (K_U07) U5. The student is able to work in a team, assuming different roles. (K_U08) U6. The student is able to accurately identify the priorities that lead to realisation of tasks specified by themselves or by others. (K_U09) U7. The student is able to acquire knowledge on their own and to develop their research skills. (K_U10) U8. The student is able to prepare speeches and to provide arguments and formulate conclusions in English language. (K_U15) U9. The student is able to conduct a preliminary search of library holdings, use databases and the Internet, prepare a list of references, add notes with due care as to the copyright, format documents using a word processor and make a presentation. (K_U16)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

K1. The student has the awareness of the level of their knowledge and skills; they understand the need for continuous self-study and self-development. (K_K01)

Teaching methods

Expository teaching methods: - description, discussion Exploratory teaching methods: - practical, project, seminar

Expository teaching methods

- description

Exploratory teaching methods

- seminar
- project work
- classic problem-solving
- experimental

Course coordinators

Term 2023/24L:

Marta Sibierska

Term 2024/25L:

Marta Sibierska

Term 2025/26L:

Marek Placiński

Assessment criteria

Graded group independent projects, presented in the conference poster format (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, W1, K1): 60%
Graded test (U2, U3, K1) : 20%
Graded in-class activity (U2, U3, K1): 20%

Scores:
fail: 0–59%
satisfactory: 60–69%
satisfactory plus: 70–75%
good: 76–85%
good plus: 86–90%
very good: 91–100%

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2510-f1ENG3S-LLT-EML in USOSweb