1

Independent
Qualitative Research Methods and
ProcessesStudy Methods
in Applied Linguistics
 STUDENTS ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE UNIT 1
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCESSES IN APPLIED
Subject:
LINGUISTICS

UNIT 1: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACHES

Identify the epistemological foundations of qualitative research

Unit learning outcome
methods and processes in Applied linguistics.

Content Map – Topics and Subtopics

Subtopic 1
Research as a scientific and systematic search
TOPIC 1
Overview
Qualitative research approaches

Subtopic 2
What is qualitative research?
Unit 1

Subtopic 1
Narrative Inquiry Subtema

Subtopic 2
Ethnography
TOPIC 2
Approaches
Subtopic 3
Action Research Subtema
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

Subtopic 4
Mixed methods

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

2
 GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER PRIOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNIT

General instructions:
1. Acquaint yourself with the course schedule meticulously to become well-versed
with critical deadlines, aligning your study plan accordingly.
2. Conduct a rigorous review of the course's formal prerequisites and obligations.
Take note of your responsibilities in the e-learning environment to ensure
compliance with institutional standards.
3. Locate the specific unit and topics we focus on within the content map. Examine
associated activities and tasks as outlined in the syllabus. Subsequently,
formulate a temporal strategy to meet established deadlines.
4. Before participating in synchronous Meet sessions, thoroughly study the
designated compendium per unit to facilitate informed discourse and optimal
learning outcomes.
5. Contact your instructor primarily through scheduled tutoring sessions, formal
email correspondence (in case needed), or Google space Chat (From 2:00 pm-
10:00 pm during business days) for clarifications or any concerns.

Video Presentation
1. Dress Code: Dress appropriately for an academic presentation. Informal attire is
acceptable but ensure that your attire is neat and presentable.
2. Lumination: Ensure that your setting is sufficiently illuminated for the quality of
your visual aids and overall delivery.
3. Presentation: Do not read from your assignment information. The video should
be a natural expression of your thoughts. But you can practice before recording.
4. Time Limit: Keep your video within the time limit required. Going over will result
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

in points being deducted from your grade.

Assignments Completion
• Language and Translation Tools: The use of translation tools is not permitted
unless otherwise stated by the instructor. However, you may use grammar
correction software to improve the quality of your work.
• Source Validity: You are encouraged to use credible and scholarly sources for
your assignments. Verification of sources may be conducted.

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

3
 Automatic Grade of 5:
Your assignment will automatically be graded with a score of 5 if the following is found:
1. The assignment submitted is incomplete.
2. The work is not sent in the required format.

Automatic Grade of 0:
Your assignment will automatically be graded with a score of 0 if the following is found:
1. Submitted links are not accessible.
2. Any links, folders, or files are modified after the submission deadline.
3. In cases where a link is sent, the sub-folder is empty, or additional information
was added post-deadline.
4. Assignments are sent via email before and after the deadline.
5. Posting links to the assignment in the comment sections is not allowed unless
your instructor explicitly states otherwise.
6. Late submissions are not permitted unless justified through Bienestar Estudiantil
and under the specified conditions.

Guidelines for Academic Integrity

1. Originality: All submitted works must be original contributions of the student.
Reusing any portion of previously submitted work in a new assignment without
explicit permission is not acceptable.
2. Plagiarism: Copying and pasting text from other sources without proper citation
is strictly prohibited. Referencing should comply with the APA 7th Edition citation
style (If applicable).
• Third-party Websites: Utilizing third-party websites or platforms that generate
essays or solve problems violates academic integrity.
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

Disciplinary Measures:
• Any guidelines for Academic Integrity violations will be subject to disciplinary
measures as stipulated in Article 119, Section 3, and Article 120 of
the https://www.unemi.edu.ec/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ESTATUTO-
ORG%C3%81NICO-DE-LA-UNIVERSIDAD-ESTATAL-DE-MILAGRO.pdf (pages 74-
75).

Please adhere to these guidelines to maintain the scholarly rigor and integrity
essential to academic success in this program.

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

4
 TOPICS 1 & 2: ACTIVITIES
• TOPIC 1: Overview
Topics • TOPIC 2: Approaches

Weeks 1-3 Assignment 1 (Tarea 1)

Note: This assignment will be completed in groups.

Assignment: Epistemological Foundations and Methodological Approaches in Applied

Linguistics: A Comparative Analysis of Four Research Methods

Objective
This assignment aims to enhance students' understanding of the varied epistemological and
methodological frameworks employed in Applied Linguistics research through the critical
review and comparative analysis of peer-reviewed articles utilizing four different research
methods: Narrative Inquiry, Ethnography, Action Research, and Mixed Methods.

Subtopics incuded:
1. Narrative Inquiry
2. Ethnography
3. Action Research
4. Mixed methods

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Activity 1: Articles Selection

Identify one peer-reviewed article for each research approach—Narrative Inquiry,
Ethnography, Action Research, and Mixed Methods—within Applied Linguistics.

Activity 2: Guided Analysis

Analyze the four articles and answer the following specific guided questions:
• General Questions (for each article)
• What is the primary research question the study seeks to address?
• Questions on Epistemological Underpinnings
• What epistemological stance can you determine from the article? Is it more
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

constructivist, interpretivist, positivist, or pragmatist? Provide evidence for your

answer.
• Questions on Methodology
• What research methods are employed in the study (e.g., interviews,
observations, questionnaires)?
• How are the data analyzed? (e.g., thematic analysis, statistical analysis)
• Questions on Findings and Applications
• What are the main findings? Summarize them in your own words.
• How do the findings contribute to the field of Applied Linguistics?

Activity 3: Comparative Matrix

Create an interactive matrix that compares the four articles on various dimensions,
including the research question, research method, underlying epistemology, and main

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

5
 findings. Follow the template for general organization.

Research Research Epistemological Research Key Applications APA 7

Approach Question Stance method Findings in Applied Article
Linguistics Citation
Narrative
Inquiry
Ethnography

Action
Research
Mixed
Methods

You can save your chart as PDF, image or present it more interactively. That is up to you
all, but you need to provide a link to the information.

Activity 4: Video Reflection

1. Divide how you will explain each section of the chart. In your explanation, you must
also:
• Briefly describe the population or context under study in each research.
• Indicate how each research method relates to the field of Applied Linguistics.
• How does the epistemological stance influence the methodology used in the
study?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen research method for
answering the research question?
• Share something new you learned (Each participant).

2. Record a 10-minute video TOTAL per group.

3. The chart and your face must be visible when explaining.

Appendix:

Add evidence of your work in the group (Captures of organization, meetings, and so on)

Also, add evidence of the student(s) who did not participate.

Submission:
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

• Insert the link to your work and video to your section on Moodle ‘‘Texto en
línea.’’ Check the following tutorial in Spanish to know how to do it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNERihiQrmw

EXTRA POINT: You will get 1 extra point if your assignment is submitted until 2 hours
before the deadline.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Organization: Divide the assignment to ease the work.
• Practice: Before recording, rehearse as much as you can.

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

6
 • Submission: Do not wait until the last minute to submit your assignment.
Remember the guidelines for the unit.
• Rubric: Review the rubric to know what is expected from your work.
• Link: Make sure the links are accessible.

ASSESSMENT
Week No. Activity Score

Week 1 Introduction/Review of the class

Not graded but required
materials

Articles Selection Not graded but required to complete

Week 2 Guided Analysis Assignment 1

Comparative Matrix
Not graded but required to complete
Week 3 Video Reflection
Assignment 1

October 5th Assignment 1 submission 15

Total 15 pts
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

7
 Calendar

INTAKE: SEPTEMBER 2023-JANUARY 2024

MONTHS: SEPTEMBER -OCTOBER

UNIT 1
DATES Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
ACTIVITIES 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Introduction/Review
of the class X X X X X X X
materials

Articles Selection
X X X X X X X
Guided Analysis
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI

Comparative Matrix
X X X X X X X
Video Reflection

Assignment 1
X
submission

Note: The 'X' marks suggest the recommended days to allocate for each activity to complete to optimize time management, while the red section
denotes the final deadline for assignment submission.

FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v3.01

6
 APPENDIX 1: ASSIGNMENT 1_RUBRIC
INDICATORS OUTSTANDING
3 POINTS
All articles are peer-reviewed,
Articles Selection & from reputable journals, directly
Link Accessibility relevant to Applied Linguistics,
and have accessible links.
Answers to all guided questions
are insightful, comprehensive,
Guided Analysis and backed by evidence from the
articles.
The matrix is complete, well-
Comparative Matrix organized, and includes nuanced
comparisons on all key
dimensions.
© Universidad Estatal de Milagro – UNEMI
The video is exactly 10 minutes,
Video Reflection covers all specified elements
comprehensively, and
demonstrates deep
understanding.
Comprehensive evidence of group
work, including meeting notes
Group Work Evidence and organization details, is
provided.
TOTAL
FORMATO CONTROLADO: FR0020/ v1.0 / 18-11-2019
I
KEEP GOING
2 POINTS
Most articles meet the criteria,
but one may not be directly
relevant or have an accessible
link.
Most questions are answered
adequately but lack depth in
one or two areas.
The matrix is mostly complete
but lacks detail in one or two
categories.
The video lasts more than 9
minutes but could be more
comprehensive in covering
specified elements.
Some evidence of group work
is provided, but it lacks
comprehensiveness or detail.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
1 POINTS
At least two articles are off-
topic, not peer-reviewed, or
lack accessible links.
Answers are superficial or
incomplete, missing
significant sections.
Matrix is partially complete
and lacks depth in
comparison.
The video lasts between 1-8
minutes and covers only
basic elements.
Minimal evidence of group
work is provided, lacking
significant details.
NEEDS ATTENTION,
MARK
BUT DON'T GIVE UP!
0 POINTS
None of the articles meet
the criteria or have
accessible links.
Answers are missing or do
not relate to the articles.
The matrix is incomplete
or missing.
The video is less than 8
minutes and does not
cover specified elements.
No evidence of group
work is provided.
/15
17