ENG4112 – Methods in English Language Research
Course description
Course content
The course gives an introduction to methods that are common in linguistic research and relates methodological choices to fundamental differences between theories of language. It also focuses on the formulation of research questions, how to do a literature review, and the formal requirements of a master’s thesis.
The course provides writing practice, work on academic conventions for thesis writing, and practice in using library resources.
During the methods course, you will be assigned a discussion group and introduced to methods for giving and receiving feedback. The discussion groups are meant to continue meeting during the year when you write your Master`s theses, so that the group members can provide each other with academic and social support.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have acquired:
in-depth knowledge of important research methods in English language research
the ability to formulate your own research questions
the ability to choose appropriate theories and methods depending on your chosen subdiscipline and research questions, taking into account ethical considerations
the ability to find, review and reference relevant literature
the ability to write up a piece of research
advanced academic writing skills within English language Research
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is for students admitted to the master programmes European Languages (master) (programme option English Language and Linguistics), and Lektorprogrammet (master) (studieretning engelsk).
Students enrolled in other master`s degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with ENG4100 – English Language Research: Methods and Thesis Outline (discontinued).
Teaching
The course is taught throughout the semester with a 2-hour seminar per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.
Obligatory activities:
- Obligatory activities for the course consist of first drafts of your portfolio assignments. You will receive feedback on the assignments, which will be collected in a portfolio and submitted again at the end of the course (see "Examination" below). Read more about?guidelines for compulsory activities?and?about?rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you must attend a minimum of 8 out of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute. Attendance at 14 out of 14 seminars is strongly encouraged. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up the work you have missed.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accommodations.
Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.
The exam form is a portfolio consisting of 2 pieces of work, totaling 12-15 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). One of these is a thesis outline.
The grade is based on the portfolio as a whole.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
A portfolio or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.