Uses of corpus linguistics in education research: An adjustable lens

Sian Alsop, Virginia King, Genie Giaimo, Xiaoyu Xu

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

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    Abstract

    In this chapter, we explore uses of corpus linguistics within higher education research. Corpus linguistic approaches enable examination of large bodies of language data based on computing power. These bodies of data, or corpora, facilitate investigation of the meaning of words in context. The semi-automated nature of such investigation helps researchers to identify and interpret language patterns that might otherwise be inaccessible through manual analysis. We illustrate potential uses of corpus linguistic approaches through four short case studies by higher education researchers, spanning educational contexts, disciplines and genres. These case studies are underpinned by discussion of the development of corpus linguistics as a field of investigation, including existing open corpora and corpus analysis tools. We give a flavour of how corpus linguistic techniques, in isolation or as part of a wider research approach, can be particularly helpful to higher education researchers who wish to investigate language data and its context.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationTheory and Method in Higher Education Research
    EditorsMalcolm Tight, Jeroen Huisman
    PublisherEmerald
    Pages21-40
    Number of pages20
    Volume6
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-80043-320-5
    ISBN (Print)978-1-80043-321-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Publication series

    NameTheory and Method in Higher Education Research
    PublisherEmerald
    Volume6
    ISSN (Print)2056-3752

    Keywords

    • corpus linguistics
    • higher education
    • research
    • case studies
    • discourse

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Language and Linguistics
    • Education

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