Qualitative Methods in Sociolinguistics / Edition 1

by Barbara Johnstone

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195133974
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/23/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.52(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.46(d)

About the Author

Carnegie Mellon University

Table of Contents

Preface1. IntroductionSummarySuggestions for Further Reading2. Methodology in Historical ContextField Methods in American Dialect GeographyField Methods and "Discovery Procedures" in Descriptive LinguisticsAnalytical Methods in Historical/Comparative LinguisticsGeneral ThemesDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading3. Thinking About MethodologyWhat Is Research? What Are Data? What Does "Empirical" Mean? What Makes a Good Research Question? What Is "Qualitative" Research? Summary Discussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading4. Some Legal and Ethical IssuesResearchers and ResearchedResearchers and ResourcesThe Uses of ResultsDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading5. Standards of Evidence: How Do You Know When You're Right?Reliability and Validity in Qualitative ResearchEvaluating Competing InterpretationsSummaryDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading6. Thinking: Introspection and IntuitionWhat Is Intuition? What Is Introspection? Introspective Research in Sociolinguistics: An ExampleRoles for Intuition in Sociolinguistics? Intuitions About CompetenceIntuitive Leaps7. Looking: Participant ObservationWhat Is Participant Observation? What Is Ethnography? Ethnography in SociolinguisticsDoing Ethnography: Some Preliminary IssuesStarting Out: Field Methods for Participant ObservationMaking Sense: Focusing Fieldwork and Analytical MethodsSummaryDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading8. Reading and ListeningRecording DiscourseKinds of Conversational DataTranscribingUsing Written TextsAnalytical ApproachesDiscourse Is Constrained by the WorldDiscourse Is Constrained by LanguageDiscourse Is Constrained by Speakers/Writers/Signers, Addressees, AudiencesDiscourse Is Constrained by Prior DiscourseDiscourse Is Shaped by Its Media of Production and ReceptionDiscourse Is Shaped by People's PurposesSummaryDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further Reading9. WritingThe ArticleAbstractIntroductionLiterature ReviewMethodologyFindingsDiscussionOther GenresThe Grammar of ParticularitySummaryDiscussion QuestionsSuggestions for Further ReadingReferencesIndex