Quantitative Methods in Language Studies

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This is an introductory subject designed to enable students to acquire the basic tools necessary for critically READING about and carrying out quantitative empirical research in applied linguistics. Students will be given practice in the application of statistics in the analysis of data obtained from research and will be introduced to the use of computers with statistical packages to analyse data. Throughout, there will be a focus on the practicality and usefulness of the skills developed for the tasks of understanding research literature in Applied Linguistics, and of carrying out research in settings relevant to students. No prior knowledge of mathematics or of statistical procedures will be assumed.

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to read research in applied linguistics critically and with understanding, including research which involves quantitative analysis of data;
• be able to design, conduct and analyse data from a small scale research project relevant to their professional interests;
• have developed skills in the use of statistical packages on the computer.

• 6 homework assignments totalling 1500 words due over the course of the semester [30%]
• A take-home examination equivalent to 1500 words due in the final week of semester [30%]
• A 2000 word paper due two weeks after the end of the semester [40%]

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics (Salkind, N) Sage, 2014 (5th ed.)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• have developed their research skills;
• have develop their critical thinking and analytic skills;
• be able to communicate ideas through writing.

Subject offered as both online and on-campus. Some restrictions on student visa holders apply. Please contact the subject coordinator for more information. For students taking this subject online: 2 hours of online work related to course material (activities, self-assessment, bulletin board discussion).