Methods in Language Research – English – UGC NET – Notes

Research in Language Studies

Language Studies in general, and English Language Studies in particular, constitute a broad and interdisciplinary field. It intersects with disciplines such as Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Pedagogy, Cultural Studies, and Sociology.

There are multiple dimensions to explore within English language research, including but not limited to:

• The historical development of English as a first language (L1), second language (L2), or foreign language (EFL).

• The structural properties of a standard variety of English, including its phonology, morphology, syntax, and grammar.

• The use and usage of English in various contexts such as media, literature, education, administration, and its role as a lingua franca or contact language.

• The learning and teaching of English within specific contexts or through particular pedagogical approaches.

• The influence of English on other languages, as well as how other languages influence English.

• The position of English in curricular and administrative policies within a specific region or country.

This list is not exhaustive, but it illustrates the wide scope and expanse of English Language Studies and its relevance across multiple academic and social domains.

Research Methods

Let us revisit the basic question: What does the term “methods” mean in the context of research methodology? Methods refer to the specific tools and procedures used for the collection and analysis of data. These may include experiments, surveys, and statistical tests. According to Jankowicz (2013), methods are a systematic and orderly approach to gathering and analyzing data in order to obtain meaningful information.

In English Language Studies, researchers may engage in different types of research, such as:

• Library Research – studying specific aspects of language in texts using books and published materials (print and electronic) as secondary data sources.

• Theoretical Research – defining or theorizing the structural and functional properties of language.

• Empirical Research (Field Research) – drawing conclusions about language use based on empirical evidence gathered through observation, surveys, interviews, or experience.

• Applied Research – addressing a specific problem, such as learning or teaching English, by applying a theoretical or conceptual framework of language acquisition or learning.

Some research approaches, such as Action Research, may be both applied and empirical in nature.

It is important to note that this classification of research methods is not limited to language studies; it is also common in disciplines like Social Sciences, History, and Economics. However, here we focus on these methods within the context of English Language Studies.

Possible research questions in language studies include:

1. What is the nature and frequency of Indian loan-words in a specific Indian newspaper or literary text in English?

2. Why do Indian speakers of English engage in code-switching or code-mixing in particular speech situations?

3. What types of English courses interest undergraduate students most?

4. Do students learn English more effectively through the Direct Method than the Bilingual Method?

5. What role does the literary canon play in shaping the language curriculum in primary or secondary education in India?

6. How can we bridge the gap between expected proficiency and actual proficiency among second language learners in rural areas?

Different research questions require different methods. For example:

• Question 1 relies primarily on library research.

• Questions 2–5 require empirical evidence gathered through observation or experimentation.

• Question 6 requires the application of language learning theories to solve a practical problem.

Each of these research methods involves specific tools for data collection and data analysis, which must be carefully selected according to the research objective.