Understanding Statistics in Applied Linguistics Research

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• select appropriate statistical methods in order to answer specific research questions
• carry out and interpret statistical analyses commonly used in the ELT, SLA and language testing
• conduct the basic operations of quantitative data input using suitable software

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• descriptive statistics and inferential statistics presented in studies in the field
• the role of quantitative approaches and their advantages and limitations in applications
• various quantitative methods typically used in applied linguistics research

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• problem analysis and problem solving
• statistical computing
• data handling and manipulation

This module will cover a wide range of topics in the field of quantitative approaches commonly used in the field of applied linguistics. Indicative topics include both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, exploratory analysis and confirmatory analysis. The main focus of the module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand, interpret and conduct statistical analysis in the field of applied linguistics.

Teaching and learning methods

A combination of lectures, seminars and workshops

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Reza Khany & Khalil Tazik (2019) Levels of Statistical Use in Applied Linguistics Research Articles: From 1986 to 2015, Journal of Quantitative Linguistics, 26:1, 48-65, DOI: 10.1080/09296174.2017.1421498.

Larson-Hall, J., & Herrington, R. (2009). Improving data analysis in second language acquisition by utilizing modern developments in applied statistics. Applied Linguistics, 31(3), 368–390.

Lazaraton, A. (2000). Current trends in research methodology and statistics in applied linguistics. TESOL Quarterly, 34(1), 175–181.10.2307/3588103.

Lindstromberg, S. (2016). Inferential statistics in language teaching research: A review and ways forward. Language Teaching Research, 20(6), 741–768.10.1177/1362168816649979.

Textbooks

Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage..

Agresti, A. and Finlay, B. (2008). Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences (4th edition). Pearson Education..

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External