Introduction to Research Methodology

Outline Why is researching important? How to start a “linguistics” (read: translation) research? What kinds of translation research are available to date?

Writing papers: model 1 Idea Do research Write paper

Writing papers: model 2 Forces us to be clear, focused Idea Do research Write paper Idea Write paper Do research Forces us to be clear, focused Opens the way to dialogue with others: reality check, critique, and collaboration

Introduction There are two aspects of starting a new research: Preparing things to be researched → topic, purpose, research question, importance, scope of research Preparing the methodology → research paradigm & methodology Remember the nature of language research is multiple, instead of singular.

Empirical generalizations The Wheel of Science Theories Empirical generalizations Hypotheses Observations

The research ’onion’

Major philosophies Positivism (=direct realism): working with an observable social reality to produce law-like generalizations. Critical realism: explains what we experience in terms of the underlying structures of reality. Interpretivism: it studies humans created meanings. Postmodernism: it questions the accepted ways of thinking and give voice to alternative ones. Pragmatism: concepts are only relevant when they are supporting action.

Definition A system of beliefs and assumptions about the development of knowledge. This is what you as a researcher will do: developing knowledge on a particular field. These assumptions inevitably shape how you understand your research questions. This will allow to design a coherent research project.

Three types of research assumptions Ontological Epistemological Axiological

Three types of research assumptions Ontology It refers to assumptions about the nature of reality. The way you see and study your research objects (organizations, management, artifacts etc.). Epistimology Assumptions about knowledge, what constitutes acceptable, valid and legitimate knowledge, and how we can communicate knowledge to others. Axiology Refers to the role of values and ethics within the research process. How researchers deal with their own values and those of the other research participants.

Preparing the topic Personal interest Review of related literature Research advantage

Personal interest Small focus and detailed For example: Research about “conjunction” in translation However, small focus may difficult students’ findings (especially S1 students)

Book review Research journals, thesis, dissertations Research gap Novelty Strengths and weaknesses Void (aspects)

How to review a book? Title identification Social context identification Methodology

Research Rationale Consists of: background, purpose, questions, significance, and scope of the study They are inseperable Background should start from specific thing, instead of general one Etic: concepts and ideas are studied, and it is an outsider Emic: the research participants' words and perspectives are the starting point, and it is an insider Homework: see previous research’s suggestions. See if they inspire you to conduct a research

IMRAD

Your narrative flow Here is a problem It’s an interesting problem It’s an unsolved problem Here is my idea My idea works (details, data) Here’s how my idea compares to other people’s approaches

Types of Translation

Types of Translation

Evaluation How can you find a research gap? How do you differ novelty and research gap? Why is a research rationale important? Where is your interest?