Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Research Methods in Education and Academic Abilities in English
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
This subject presents an overview of the different research methods used in studies on foreign language acquisition and teaching. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be presented through case studies, experimental studies, ethnographic studies, etc. The various methods and tools for data collection in the field of foreign language acquisition and teaching will also be presented, as will the different sections of a research study (literature review, objectives, research questions and hypotheses, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion). This subject aims to help students understand the readings provided in other subjects from the Master’s Degree andgive them the methodological knowledge needed to perform a study.
Pre-course requirements
To be familiar with studies performed in the field of foreign language acquisition and teaching.
Objectives
- To become familiar with the different types of research in the field of foreign language acquisition and teaching: quantitative and qualitative methods.
- To become familiar with the different methods of data collection.
- To understand the structure of a research study.
- To become familiar with the different formal aspects of written and oral academic texts in English.
- To apply the knowledge acquired when preparing different types of academic texts related to the teaching or learning-acquisition of English as a foreign language.
- To use the English language for academic and professional purposes related to research in the areas of the acquisition, teaching and learning of English as a foreign language.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CP01 - The student will be able to associate knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for the student to develop and/or apply original ideas, often in the context of research.
- CP03 - The student will be able to work as part of a team effectively in multilingual, multicultural, interdisciplinary, professional and/or academic environments.
- CP04 - The student will be able to use adequate resources and strategies to improve as a professional.
- CP05 - The student will be able to integrate information and communication technologies into teaching and learning activities, teaching management and professional development.
- CP06 - The student will be able to generate innovative and competitive suggestions as a professional and as a researcher
- CP10 - The student will be able to apply the fundamental aspects of current educational research methodologies to improve the processes of teaching and learning English as a foreign language.
- CP11 - The student will respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, the promotion of human rights, and the values inherent to a culture of democracy and peace, using language that avoids androcentricity and stereotypes.
- HB01 - The student will be able to recognise the phonetic and phonological aspects of English in the classroom, to begin teaching the pronunciation of English as a foreign language.
- HB02 - The student will be able to make judgements based on limited or incomplete information, including reflections on social and ethical responsibilities
- HB03 - The student will know how to communicate conclusions and the reasoning behind them to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way
- HB04 - The student will be able to apply skills that allow them to continue studying in a largely self-directed or autonomous way.
- HB07 - The student will be able to organise their working time according to their learning priorities and objectives, encouraging self-learning.
- HB08 - The student will be able to offer informed decision-making in the field of teaching English as a foreign language.
- HB09 - The student will be able to apply educational innovation and research models to the acquisition, teaching and use of English as a foreign language in specific circumstances, in the school context, and/or in contexts related to education, in a way that links theoretical knowledge with educational practice.
- HB10 - The student will be able to provide a critical analysis of their own work.
- HB11 - The student will be able to provide explanations in public and make presentations using digital media adapted to different audiences in a school context (teachers, families, students, etc.).
- HB15 - The student will be able to assess current models and methodologies of educational research.
- HB16 - The student will be able to use the English language for academic and professional purposes related to research in the fields of acquisition, teaching and learning English as a foreign language.
- HB17 - The student will be able to express themselves in English, both orally and in writing, and both inside and outside the classroom, undertaking all the communication functions that are typical of an English language teacher.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The learning outcomes will be linked to the selected competences in each case. Among others, the following stand out:
Students should be able to:
- Analyse different educational research designs.
- Identify research questions related to the teaching or learning/acquisition of English as a foreign language.
- Analyse different techniques and instruments for collecting quantitative and qualitative information.
- Analyse data samples as an example to draw relevant conclusions forthe teaching or learning/ acquisition of English as a foreign language.
- Apply the knowledge and skills acquired to prepare an educational proposal adapted to a specific context.
- Identify and analyse the different formal aspects of written and oral academic texts in English.
- Apply the knowledge for the preparation of different types of academic texts related to the teaching or learning-acquisition of English as a foreign language.
- Use English language for academic and professional purposes related to research in the areas of acquisition, teaching and learning English as a foreign language.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to research design
1.1. Research types
1.2. Ethics in research
1.3. Performing a research project
- Theoretical background
- Methodology
- Reporting results
2. Quantitative research
2.1. General overview
2.2. Designing a quantitative study (e.g. experimental studies)
2.3. Tools for data collection and analysis (e.g. working memory tests, testing vocabulary, using SPSS, etc.)
3. Descriptive research
3.1. General overview
3.2. Designing a descriptive study (e.g. survey-based studies)
3.3. Tools for data collection and analysis (e.g. descriptive statistics with SPSS, R, etc.)
4. Qualitative research
4.1. General overview
4.2. Designing a qualitative study (e.g. ethnography, case studies)
4.3. Tools for data collection and analysis (e.g. ELLAN, CLAN, etc.)
5. Academic English skills
5.1. Discourse genres and types of educational academic texts in English
5.2. Formal aspects of written and oral academic texts in English
5.3. Academic writing strategies and techniques in English
5.4. Academic paper: Structure, main characteristics and APA citation style
Teaching and learning activities
Online
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CML - Online lectures |
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CPL - Practical online sessions |
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TI - Individual autonomous online work |
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TG – Group autonomous online work |
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TL- Individual online classes |
Evaluation systems and criteria
Online
1. Participation - 20% (participation in class sessions, completing readings, watching lecture or other videos, discussion board posts, other online interactions).
2. Virtual data elicitation presentation - 30%
3. Research project 0 50% (in pairs): depending on your future career goals and interests, you can choose between the following two options:
Option A:
- Data collection plan (optional) 10%
- Outline of final paper: 10%
- Virtual presentation: 10%
- Write-up of final project: 20%
Option B:
- Proposal: 10%
- Outline of final paper: 10%
- Virtual presentation: 10%
- Write-up of final project: 20%
Bibliography and resources
Mackey A. and Gass S. 2016. Second Language Research. Methodology and Design (2nd ed.) Lawrence Erlbaum.
Gass S. And Mackey A. 2012. The Routledge handbook of second language acquisition. Routledge.
Mackey A. and Gass S. (eds.) 2012. Research methods in second language acquisition. A practical guide. Wiley-Blackwell.
Norris, J. M., Plonsky, L., Ross, S. J., &Schoonen, R. 2015. Guidelines for reporting quantitative methods and results in primary research. Language Learning, 65, 470-476.
Wei L. and Moyer M. 2008. The Blackwell Guide to Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism. Blackwell.
Plonsky L (ed.) 2015. Advancing quantitative methods in second language research. Routledge.
Paltridge B. and Phakiti A. 2015. Research methods in applied linguistics: A practical resource. Bloomsbury.