QUANTITATIVE METHODS AND

PROCESSES FOR APPLIED

LINGUISTICS RESEARCH

UNIT 1
Generalities

Topic 1
What is research?
 Objetivo
Promote the application of educational pedagogical models through systems,
values, dimensions and effective relationships between students and
teachers.
Introducción
This course is an introduction to quantitative methods in general, and it has been developed
expressly for students and researchers in the fields of languages and linguistics to help them get
started.
Statistical data and analysis are used in the majority of studies in psycholinguistics and
sociolinguistics, particularly those that deal with language variation. In order to fully comprehend
these studies, we must at the very least have a basic understanding of the terms, indices, figures,
and graphs that are used.

Throughout the course, we will try to look at models of realistic linguistic research and examine
the methodologies and tools that are used in research studies, all of which will be focused on
helping learners understand the topics that are presented.
 Subtopic
» Subtopic 1: Definition
» Subtopic 2: Epistemological foundations of quantitative linguistic research
» Subtopic 3: The Good researcher
» Subtopic 4: Qualitative and Quantitative data
 » Subtopic 1: Definition
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02847-8
 Warm-up activity:
The secret of our cultural development has been research,
pushing back the areas of ignorance by discovering new truths,
which, in turn, lead to better ways of doing things and better
products. John W. Best

Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Give reasons in support of your answer.

5
Subtopic 1: Definition

So… What is research?

1 It is a series of steps to collect and analyze information to understand a

topic or issue better.

2 Research is the process of discovering new knowledge.

6
Subtopic 1: Definition
Research is …

• a way to keep updated, so that professional

performance is not poor.

• an attempt to answer questions.

• a movement from the known to the unknown.

https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/how-do-research-project-6-steps

Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypotheses or suggested solutions,
collecting, organising, and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last,
carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. Clifford Woody
Subtopic 1: Definition

Research collects data through procedures that are based on a methodology that is
based on a paradigm. The consistency and coherence between these components are
essential. In general, a research consists of:

8
Subtopic 1: Definition

Although there are a few more steps in research than these

three, this is the overall framework for research.

9
Why is research important and
encouraged?

10
Subtopic 1: Definition
There are four reasons why research is essential.

New knowledge arises from research

It aids in practice performance

Research provides new ideas for

educators to explore in their work.

Research inspires policy discussions

11
» Subtopic 2: Epistemological foundations
of quantitative linguistic research
 As a branch of research philosophy,
epistemology deals with the following
questions:

• What is knowledge?
• Do we have knowledge?
• How can we gain knowledge?
Epistemology focuses on
what is known to be true.

https://research-methodology.net/research-philosophy/episto
• Epistemology studies how and where knowledge is collected; it examines the
methods and sources used to gather it.

• Our worldview and conception of knowledge significantly impact how we

perceive evidence.
Subtopic 2: Epistemological foundations of quantitative linguistic
research
Sources of knowledge related to business research, in particular, can be divided into the following four
categories:

•Intuitive knowledge is based on intuition, faith, beliefs, etc. Human feelings play a more significant
role in intuitive knowledge than reliance on facts.

•Authoritarian knowledge relies on information that has been obtained from books, research papers,
experts, supreme powers, etc.

•Logical knowledge is the creation of new knowledge through applying logical reasoning.

•Empirical knowledge relies on objective facts that have been established and can be demonstrated.

15
Subtopic 2: Epistemological foundations of quantitative linguistic
research

Our interpretation of knowledge will influence our choice of

methodology and methods and will also impact our data analysis.

16
Subtopic 2: Epistemological foundations of quantitative linguistic
research

Figure 3. Epistemological Foundations of Quantitative Research (Dominguez, 2021)

17
Closing activity:

Instructions:
1. Select a breakout room.
2. Collaboratively, discuss and answer the following questions:
•What is your perception of research?
•Why is it crucial for educators to engage in research?
https://www.alphr.com/how-to-enable-breakout-rooms-zoom/
•What source of knowledge is the least effective for educators?
Explain your reasons
3. Select your group spokesperson
4. Share your thoughts
 NEXT CLASS…

» SUBTOPIC 3: The good researcher

SUBTOPIC 4: Qualitative and quantitative data

http://melinamasnatta.com.ar/

19
References
Connelly, F. M., Dukacz, A. S., & Quinlan, F. (1980). Curriculum planning for the classroom. Toronto, Canada: OISE Press.

Creswell, J., & Guetterman, T. (2013). Educational research (pp. 10 - 50). Harlow, Essex: Pearson.

Gray, D. E. (2014). Doing research in the real world. London: Sage.

Hernandez R., Fernandez c., Baptista NM.P. (2014). Metodología de la Investigación, McGraw-Hill. Mexico

Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2014). Educational research. Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE.

O’Gorman, K. and MacIntosh, R. (2015). “Mapping research methods”. in: O’Gorman, K. and MacIntosh, R. Research methods for business
and management. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Ltd.

Qualitative: Shelden, D. L., Angell, M. E., Stoner, J. B., & Roseland, B. D. (2010). School principals’ influence on trust: Perspectives of
mothers of children with disabilities. Journal of Educational Research, 103, 159–170.

Quantitative: Deslandes, R., & Bertrand, R. (2005). Motivation of parent involvement in secondary-level schooling. Journal of Educational
Research, 98(3), 164–175.

Rasinger, S. M. (2013). Quantitative research in linguistics. Bloomsbury Publishing.

20