MA Translation and Interpreting Studies / Course details

This course unit focuses on a range of skills and methods which are of relevance for translation and intercultural studies research, providing training in specific research methods, giving students the tools to evaluate existing research and to apply research findings appropriately in their own academic work. The course covers an introduction to research trends in related areas, discussions about the development of research topics and the overall process of a research project, and specific research methods used in translation and intercultural studies research (e.g. surveys and interviews, textual analysis, ethnography, etc.).

By the end of the unit, students will be able to apply their knowledge of research methods to existing research in order to critically evaluate it in some depth. They will also have enough familiarity with the research process and with research methods to make informed decisions about their own potential future research work, and to design credible research projects.

A full course unit outline will be provided in class at the beginning of the semester.

• To support students in developing the ability to research and evaluate potential research topics and areas
• To give students the tools to complete in-depth analysis of methodological issues in existing research
• To prepare students for future research design projects

• Demonstrate a knowledge of different research methods, and the opportunities and drawbacks presented by them
• Learn about current areas of research in translation and intercultural studies

• Evaluating existing research in methodological terms
• Assess the relevance of existing research to potential research topic areas
• Summarize and discuss the implications of existing research and the methods used, both in writing and in conversation

• Conduct bibliographical research on a specific topic area
• Write coherent summaries and evaluations of existing work

• Develop written and oral communication on technical topics
• Develop confidence as a potential researcher or user of research

Assessment task:

Assignment 1: Group presentation on Research Ethics (asynchronous, pre-recorded) - 25%

Assignment 2: Individual essay on research methods - 75%

Resit assessment:

Students will resit Assignment 2.

Creswell, J. (2014) Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 4th edn. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.   

Denzin, Norman and Yvonna Lincoln, eds. 2011. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks etc: Sage.

McKinley, J. and Rose, H. (2020) The Routledge handbook of research in applied linguistics. London: Routledge.  

Saldanha, Gabriela and Sharon O’Brien. 2013. Research Methodologies in Translation Studies. London and New York: Routledge

Williams, Jenny and Andrew Chesterman. 2002. The Map: A beginner’s guide to doing research in translation studies. London and New York: Routledge.

Zhu Hua, ed. 2016. Research Methods in Intercultural Communication. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.