Qualitative Methods in Sociolinguistics
Published on 27. January 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-0-19-513397-4 (ISBN)
Description
Qualitative Methods in Sociolinguistics is the only book on qualitative research methods designed especially for readers doing research on language and society. It provides a brief, accessible introduction to general theoretical and practical questions about research and also covers the principal means of selecting, collecting, and analyzing data for interpretive sociolinguistic work. Topics discussed include the historical context of contemporary
sociolinguistic methodology, the development of research questions, standards of evidence, research ethics, ethnography, discourse analysis, and strategies for writing articles and essays. In each chapter the author
considers both field methods and analytical methods, illustrating the approaches by describing studies that have employed them. Exercises, ideas for discussion, and suggestions for further reading enhance the text and provide starting points for student research projects. Clearly written and comprehensible to students at all levels, this unique work is an ideal supplementary text for courses in sociolinguistics, language and culture, and field methods. It is also a helpful reference for anyone
contemplating sociolinguistic research on any level.
sociolinguistic methodology, the development of research questions, standards of evidence, research ethics, ethnography, discourse analysis, and strategies for writing articles and essays. In each chapter the author
considers both field methods and analytical methods, illustrating the approaches by describing studies that have employed them. Exercises, ideas for discussion, and suggestions for further reading enhance the text and provide starting points for student research projects. Clearly written and comprehensible to students at all levels, this unique work is an ideal supplementary text for courses in sociolinguistics, language and culture, and field methods. It is also a helpful reference for anyone
contemplating sociolinguistic research on any level.
Reviews / Votes
"A very useful and timely book, filling a gap in texts for courses that need to teach students to do research in sociolinguistics in a non-quantitative way. Johnstone writes clearly and with many detailed examples."--Marilyn Merritt, The George Washington University"Finally! An approachable, practical, thorough yet concise research text. Great discussion questions, suggested reading, examples, and moreover, critical discussion of research, methods, and related issues (ethics, for example)."--Kathryn Remlinger, Grand Valley State University
"Excellent text for an introduction to the important issues in qualitative research."--Mary Ann K. Crawford, Central Michigan University
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 209 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-513397-4 (9780195133974)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
1. Introduction. ; 2. Methodology in the Historical Context (field methods in American dialect geography, field methods and "discovery procedure" in descriptive linguistics, analytical methods in historical/comparative linguistics, general themes). ; 3. Thinking About Methodology (What is research? What is Data? What does "empirical" mean? What makes a good research question? What is "qualitative " ; 4. Some Legal and Ethical Issues (researchers and the researched, researcher and resources, the uses of results). ; 5. Standards of Evidence (How do you know when you're right? Reliability and validity in qualitative research. Evaluating competing inerpretations.) ; 6. Thinking: Introspection and Intuition (What is intuition? What is introspection? Introspective research in sociolinguistics: an example. Roles for intutition in sociolinguistics? Intuitions about competence, intuituve leaps.) ; 7. Looking: Participant Observation (What is participant observation? What is ehtnography, Ethnography in sociolinguistics. Doing ethnography: some preliminary issues. Starting out: field methods for participant observation. Making sense: focusing on fieldwork and analytical methods.) ; 8. Reading and Listening: Discourse Analysis (selecting written texts, recording discourse, kinds of conversational data, transcribing, analytical approaches.) ; 9. Writing (The Article: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion. Other modes. The grammar of particularity).