3.1.1 Choosing a Research Focus

• The research focus for a Language Investigation should be broad enough to allow for an in-depth investigation.

  False
• Data availability is a key factor to consider when identifying a research topic.


  True
• How does language relate to identity in a Language Investigation?

  Shapes group or individual identity
• The research focus for a Language Investigation should be broad enough to collect sufficient data.


  True
• Match the research topic with its description:

  Language change ↔️ Evolution of slang

  Language and gender ↔️ Differences in communication styles

  Language and power ↔️ Use of language to assert authority

  Language and identity ↔️ Reflects group identity
• What is an advantage of using textual data in language investigations?

  Readily available
• What is a limitation of using social media data in language investigations?

  Privacy concerns
• What is an example of a research question that investigates the influence of social media on language?

  How has social media influenced the language used by teenagers?
• What is an example of textual data that can be used in a language investigation?

  Online posts
• Why is it important to provide a clear and logical flow to the methodology in a language investigation?

  Ensures a coherent investigation
• A research focus could include areas such as language change, language and gender, or language and power
• When choosing a research focus, align it with your personal interests
• The study of language and power examines how language is used to assert authority
• What is the importance of relevance when choosing a research topic?

  Contributes new insights
• The use of language to assert authority falls under the research topic of language and power
• Spoken data is less time-consuming to collect than textual data.

  False
• A research question should have a clear focus, appropriate scope, and demonstrate relevance
• Steps to outline a research plan and methodology for a language investigation:

  1️⃣ Develop a research question

  2️⃣ Identify data sources and samples

  3️⃣ Determine an analysis framework

  4️⃣ Outline the methodology
• Match the linguistic framework with its description:

  Pragmatics ↔️ Investigating language in social contexts

  Stylistics ↔️ Analyzing stylistic choices

  Discourse Analysis ↔️ Examining language structure in context
• What is a Language Investigation in the AQA A-Level English Language course?

  A key coursework component
• What type of data samples are commonly used in a Language Investigation?

  Texts, transcripts, recordings
• What is an example of a research topic related to language change?

  Evolution of slang
• Steps in conducting a Language Investigation

  1️⃣ Choose a research focus

  2️⃣ Gather relevant data

  3️⃣ Analyze the data

  4️⃣ Draw conclusions
• A research topic related to language and power could explore how language asserts authority
• What is an example of a research topic related to language and identity?

  How language shapes group identity
• Match the data source with its limitation:

  Textual Data ↔️ May lack contextual information

  Spoken Data ↔️ Time-consuming to transcribe

  Social Media ↔️ Potential biases

  Interviews ↔️ Smaller sample size
• A research question should be broad to allow for greater flexibility in analysis.

  False
• Discourse analysis examines the structure and function of language in context