Module manager: Dr Chris Norton
Email: c.norton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
In this module, students are given an overview of the wide range of research methodologies associated with linguistic studies, and are supported in designing, carrying out and reporting on their own independent research study in linguistics.
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of research methodologies in a range of linguistics topics, and support students to produce a sustained piece of writing that reflects independent research in the field of linguistic study. It does this through a combination of taught sessions, online learning resources, formative guidance and one-to-one supervision.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Plan and undertake an independent research project in linguistics, formulating a research question and applying appropriate research methodologies
2. Analyse and synthesise relevant published linguistic research to position their own study within the wider field of linguistics
3.Collect and analyse language data, reflecting critically on and complying with the relevant principles of research ethics
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Develop an evidence-based, well-structured, and sustained argument, complying with the standards of academic integrity
5. Communicate effectively complex ideas and evidence to an academic audience
Students will have developed:
- Specialist knowledge and/or skills in their chosen topic area
- The capacity to analyse, systematise and examine critically linguistic data (whether collected by the student, or collected by other linguists)
- Research skills, including: finding and retrieving information, organising material and judging its worth to the project
- The ability to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way
- A basic understanding of an appropriate statistical analyses
- The capacity to work independently, and reason critically
- The ability to use an appropriate academic style
- Good time management and organisational skills
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 8 | 0.5 | 4 |
| Lectures | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Lectures | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Practicals | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Private study hours | 364 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 36 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Before supervisors are assigned, self-assessment forms will be checked by the module leader and used to both feed back to students and to direct them towards potential supervisors.
In Semester 1, the proposal and revised proposal assignments will receive formative feedback from supervisors. In Semester 2 an optional extract of writing may also be submitted for supervisor feedback.
Peer feedback and feedback from the module lead will be available throughout the taught sessions, which involve interactive exercises and group discussions.
To support students’ work on their dissertation projects and ensure timely progress across the cohort, there are three additional compulsory pieces of coursework: 1. a research proposal (submitted in the middle of Semester 1), 2. a revised version of this proposal, and 3. an ethics form (both submitted towards the end of Semester 1). The proposals will received formative feedback from supervisors.
Students gathering data from human participants will also be required to complete a second ethics form and submit related material to supervisors before they gather their data.
A record of active engagement with supervision will also be created by students documenting each supervision session. Dissertation submissions that are not accompanied by a record of active engagement with the research process or evidence of ethical research practice will be deemed incomplete and marked accordingly.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Research Project | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team