Investigation coursework Data collection Question writing Data annotation

Data collection Things to consider before you collect data What is good quality data? How much data?

Data collection 1 Things to consider before you collect data: Type of data (spoken, written, electronic) Reliability of data (source, triangulation) Ethical considerations (written permission, informed consent, sensitive topics) Observer’s Paradox Date, time, people involved, back-up plan

Data collection 2 What is good quality data? Reliable source Accurate The right length (see next slide) Relevant to focus of your question Easy to read Referenced (e.g. website address) if applicable

Data collection 3 How much data? LESS IS MORE. ASK BEFORE YOU COLLECT A guide: Spoken: 5 minutes MAXIMUM (be selective) Written/electronic: 1 or 2 articles / webpages 5 print adverts (A4 size, small amounts of text) 20 -30 Tweets… …or the equivalent

Article

Transcript

Advert x5 (for example here, A4 advert with small amounts of text)

Question writing 1 What is a good question? Definites Brief; concise; focused Focused on the specific aspect of language you are investigating Structured in such a way that it relates clearly to your data Structured in such a way that you can evaluate the relevance of theory to your data Points in the direction of the investigation

Question writing 2 What is a good question? Possibles Usually includes the words ‘How’ (language methods), or ‘To what extent…’ (evaluation), or ‘Why…’ (context) However: as with exams, the answer is far more important than the question – it’s ultimately what you’re marked on

Question writing 3: example 1 How is Standard English adapted to create the language of Twitter? (Technology) Concise and focused on topic and theory (Twitter and Standard English, “the norm”, the reference point, the “theory”) Uses the word ‘How’ (language methods) Relates to data (tweets) Points in the direction of the investigation (acknowledges that Twitter adapts Standard English in some medium-specific way)   

Question writing 4: example 2 To what extent does a mother use CDS to support her child’s language development? (Child Language Development) Concise and focused on topic and theory (Child Language Development, CDS [Child Directed Speech]) Uses the phrase ‘To what extent’ (evaluation) Relates to data (children’s speech transcript) Points in the direction of the investigation (to what extent CDS is used by a mother with her child)   

Question writing 5: example 3 How is gender represented in broadsheet newspaper reports on Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton? (Gender) Why is this a good question?  How could it be better?  

Question writing 6: Niamh data To what extent does Niamh’s spoken language support behaviourism? How does Niamh’s father guide Niamh in her language development, with specific reference to CDS? Why: NO! Why is this a good question?   

Data annotation What is high quality annotation? Focuses on the investigation question (selective annotation) Incorporates wide range of linguistic terminology Makes reference to theory being applied or evaluated Incorporates wide range of contextual considerations, e.g. participants in a conversation, situation, genre of text, purpose of interaction, audience of text, time of day, place, publication… Selective (focus on the best parts of the data) Evaluative

Data annotation example Question: how does the parent aid with Niamh’s language development? Data extract:

Data annotation example Question: how does the parent aid with Niamh’s language development? Parent asks question Niamh responds 2 second pause Micropause Niamh is playing with her toys

Data annotation example Question: how does the parent aid with Niamh’s language development? Theory: telegraphic stage – consider as model to evaluate Relaxed context – Niamh at play – parent takes opportunity to aid CLD (everyday routines - activity most likely replicates Niamh’s home life – see CLD pragmatics PowerPoint) Adult initiates conversation – Niamh more concerned with self – typically egocentric focus of child – guided into conversation by parent Lack of self-awareness (Niamh); parent as conversational role model Adult initiates conversation (see CLD pragmatics PowerPoint) with interrogative Parent models turn-taking (Sacks et al.) – also see rest of transcript Niamh responds with declarative – correct use of conversational elision (parent omits auxiliary verb ‘are’, perhaps in sympathy with telegraphic stage? Supports Niamh through linguistic echo?)

Next steps Complete your data collection (if required) Write your own investigation coursework question, following this advice w/c 15th October in 5th lesson to Mrs Atkinson Submit clean copy of data Submit coursework proposal form (including question)

Note for all No data = we give you the data   No question = we write your question