1st Year Independent Study - Philippa's reflection 

In independent study this year, I learned how to do four tasks: (1) Questionnaire (2) Transcription of spoken language (3) literature review (4) corpus investigation.


 ~Learning how to design, distribute and analyse an effective questionnaire has provided me with valuable research skills, allowing me to carry out my own primary research. This means I am able to delve into fields in which I have a specific interest or question, even if there has been little or no previous research in that field. It means I can begin to lead my own studies and investigations into new and previously unanswered questions.

~The literature review task has taught me to look at linguistic issues from all angles and perspectives. It has taught me to consider different relevant opinions and research alongside one another. I am able to use this information to construct an argument that fully addresses the question, allowing me to come to a fair and clear conclusion. 

~The corpus investigation has provided me with a new method for analysing language, taking into account factors such as the frequency of a word use. In addition, it forced me to consider the influences acting on language and the way it is used. This means I now take a more realistic and comprehensive perspective, acknowledging not only how language is used, but also why it is used in that way. 


~Independent study has taught me to – simply – think for myself. It has trained me to analyse existing research and also come up with my own.