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Linguistics and Education
Volume 44,
April 2018
, Pages 31-44
Abstract
This article focuses on the application of quantitative methods in schoolscape research, including a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages. This article seeks to rehabilitate the quantitative by re-theorizing the landscape in linguistic landscape (LL), moving from an area based study of visible forms to a poststructuralist and postempiricist interpretative study of landscapes. The article discusses previous quantitative LL research and introduces a quantitative approach developed by the author during a data gathering and annotation of 6016 items. Quantitative methods can provide valuable insight to the ordering of reality and the materialized discourses. Furthermore, they can mitigate personal bias. They cannot provide in-depth understanding of the analyzed items due to the inherently reductive nature of classification. However, considering that the objects of inquiry are discourses, not the artifacts themselves, the issue is not paramount. Nevertheless, large scale data gathering and annotation is time consuming, which sets practical limitations to research.
Introduction
This article focuses on quantitative schoolscape research and the applied methodology. It examines the few existing studies on the linguistic landscapes (LL) of educational spaces and the applied methods. Furthermore, it re-theorizes landscape and introduces a data annotation scheme developed specifically for schoolscapes. The scheme is based on and inspired by an LL data annotation model presented by Barni and Bagna (2009).
The first part of this article discusses moving from a tradition of area based studies of visible forms (cf. Backhaus, 2007, Blackwood and Tufi, 2015, Huebner, 2006, Soukup, 2016) to a poststructuralist and postempiricist interpretative study of landscapes inspired principally by Schein (1997). The second part of the article discusses previous schoolscape research and provides an overview of previous quantitative LL research in the absence of quantitative schoolscape studies. The third part examines conducting quantitative LL research. The fourth part introduces the multidimensional data annotation scheme followed a brief discussion of quantitative data analysis. The fifth and final part addresses its advantages and disadvantages.
Section snippets
What is schoolscape?
Brown (2005, p. 79) defines schoolscape as the physical and social setting of teaching and learning, the context in which the curriculum is implemented and where certain ideas and messages are socially supported and officially sanctioned. Brown (2012) further specifies schoolscape as “the school-based environment where place and text, both written (graphic) and oral, constitute, reproduce, and transform language ideologies” (p. 282). To align it with LL research, Brown (2012, pp. 281–282)
Previous schoolscape and linguistic landscape research
Interest in research of schoolscapes is relatively recent, albeit similar research has been conducted in the past prior the use of the term by Brown, 2005, Brown, 2012. As a result, the existing published literature on schoolscapes is not particularly extensive and best described as qualitative. Firstly, certain studies focus on either demonstrating the educational function of LL in language acquisition (Malinowski, 2015, Rowland, 2013) or examining the utility of LL in promoting awareness and
Conducting quantitative LL research
Backhaus (2007, p. 61) and Blackwood (2015, p. 40) summarize three key steps in conducting quantitative LL research. Firstly, the survey area must be delimited. Blackwood (2015, p. 41) notes the selection of representative survey area remains unresolved in LL research. I agree with Gorter and Cenoz (2015b) that a smaller scale, such as a neighborhood (cf. Schein, 1997, Schein, 2009), a shopping center (cf. Goss, 1993, Goss, 1999) or a school, is more suitable than a large scale unit, such as a
Units of analysis − physical and semantic definitions
LL is generally considered to be embodied on signs, which function as the survey items in much of LL research (cf. Backhaus, 2007, Gorter, 2006, Jaworski and Thurlow, 2010; Shohamy, Ben-Rafael & Barni 2010; Shohamy & Gorter, 2009). In quantitative LL research these signs are often static or fixed items put on public display, such as shop signs. Some include less static items, such as newspapers (Itagi & Singh, 2002), skin (Peck & Stroud, 2015), spoken data (Shohamy & Waksman, 2009) and smells (
Multidimensional multimodal data annotation scheme
The data annotation scheme proposed in this article was created in response to the criticism mounted against quantitative LL studies. As the existing research design options were limited during the planning stage of the author's own research in late 2014 and early 2015, the model presented by Barni and Bagna (2009) served as the basis for this schoolscape specific scheme. Their model proved to contain the most comprehensive and clearly defined data annotation categories available at the time
Multidimensional data analysis
The purpose of this article is to introduce a schoolscape specific data annotation scheme, not to examine the schoolscape used to develop the scheme. Subsequent articles will be dedicated to the examination of the schoolscape in question. Nevertheless, in order to illustrate the potential of the proposed data annotation scheme four figures based on the data are presented. Fig. 16 illustrates languages in the schoolscape:
Based on a cumulative count of language instances (4607 tokens), Fig. 16
Conclusion
Amos (2016, p. 131) aptly summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative approaches in linguistic landscape research. On one hand, in contrast to the qualitative approaches, they fall short in the detail. There is no denying that. Each item can only be examined to a certain extent, providing only certain types of information applicable to all items. As items must be shoehorned into a limited number of categories, the subtle differences between items within those categories cannot
Acknowledgments
I thank the Editors and the anonymous reviewers for the feedback on the earlier drafts of this manuscript. This research has been supported by the University of Turku.
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FAQs
What are the advantages of quantitative research methods? ›
- You get your hands on a larger sample: With a quantitative survey, a much broader study can be done – one which involves more people. ...
- You get objectivity and accuracy: There are far fewer variables involved with quantitative research.
- You cannot follow-up on any answers in quantitative research. ...
- The characteristics of the participants may not apply to the general population. ...
- You cannot determine if answers are true or not. ...
- There is a cost factor to consider with quantitative research.
It takes a lot of time to collect the data points.
One of the significant advantages of the qualitative research method is that it creates a lot of potential data points which are usable to the social scientists. This process also creates a disadvantage which must be considered by researchers as well.
The main drawback of qualitative research is that the process is time-consuming. Another problem is that the interpretations are limited. Personal experience and knowledge influence observations and conclusions. Thus, a qualitative research might take several weeks or months.
What are the advantages of quantitative and qualitative research? ›Quantitative research generates factual, reliable outcome data that are usually generalizable to some larger populations, and qualitative research produces rich, detailed and valid process data based on the participant's, rather than the investigator's, perspectives and interpretations (1).
What is the particular advantage of a quantitative approach? ›Among the specific strengths of using quantitative methods to study social science research problems: Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and enhancing the generalization of the results; Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results.
What are the 5 weaknesses of quantitative research? ›- Improper representation of the target population. ...
- Inability to control the environment. ...
- Limited outcomes in a quantitative research. ...
- Expensive and time consuming. ...
- Difficulty in data analysis.
There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.
What are the advantages of qualitative methods? ›What are the advantages of qualitative research? Qualitative research focuses on gaining as much data as possible from a relatively small sample size. It is a more flexible approach than quantitative research since it enables participants to express themselves while providing data.
What advantages or disadvantages do you see in using both quantitative and qualitative methods in a nursing study? ›During data collection, quantitative data can provide baseline information to help researchers select patients to interview, while qualitative data can help researchers understand the barriers and facilitators to patient recruitment and retention.
What is the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research? ›
Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|
Relatively easy to analyse | Difficult to understand context of a phenomenon |
Data can be very consistent, precise and reliable | Data may not be robust enough to explain complex issues |
Quantitative studies rely on numerical or measurable data. In contrast, qualitative studies rely on personal accounts or documents that illustrate in detail how people think or respond within society.
What are some challenges in quantitative research? ›- 1 Quantitative Research: Lack of Detail. Many people criticize quantitative research because the researchers have very little ability to find out more detail. ...
- 2 Quantitative Research: Missing Variables. ...
- 3 Qualitative Research: Subjectivity. ...
- 4 Qualitative Research: No Generalization.
- Contain Measurable Variables. ...
- Use Standardized Research Instruments. ...
- Assume a Normal Population Distribution. ...
- Present Data in Tables, Graphs, or Figures. ...
- Use Repeatable Method. ...
- Can Predict Outcomes. ...
- Use Measuring Devices.
- Causal Comparative Research. Causal comparative research is also commonly referred to as quasi experimental research. ...
- Cross Sectional Survey. ...
- Sampling Methods. ...
- Commercial Information. ...
- Educational Institutes. ...
- Government Resources. ...
- Internet Data.
- A jug of milk holds one gallon.
- The painting is 14 inches wide and 12 inches long.
- The new baby weighs six pounds and five ounces.
- A bag of broccoli crowns weighs four pounds.
- A coffee mug holds 10 ounces.
- John is six feet tall.
- A tablet weighs 1.5 pounds.
What are the advantages of qualitative research? Qualitative research focuses on gaining as much data as possible from a relatively small sample size. It is a more flexible approach than quantitative research since it enables participants to express themselves while providing data.
What is the particular advantage of a quantitative approach? ›Among the specific strengths of using quantitative methods to study social science research problems: Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and enhancing the generalization of the results; Allows for greater objectivity and accuracy of results.
What's the advantages and disadvantages? ›As nouns, the difference between disadvantage and advantage is that disadvantage is a weakness or undesirable characteristic; a con while the advantage is any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or any desired end.
What are the advantages of quantitative research PDF? ›- The quantitative approach allows you to reach a higher sample size. ...
- You can collect information quickly when using quantitative research. ...
- Quantitative research uses randomized samples. ...
- Results duplication is possible when using quantitative research.
What are the 5 advantages of research? ›
- #1. Research expands your knowledge base. ...
- #2. Research gives you the latest information. ...
- #3. Research helps you know what you're up against. ...
- #4. Research builds your credibility. ...
- #5. Research helps you narrow your scope. ...
- #6. Research teaches you better discernment. ...
- #7.
During data collection, quantitative data can provide baseline information to help researchers select patients to interview, while qualitative data can help researchers understand the barriers and facilitators to patient recruitment and retention.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods? ›Quantitative studies rely on numerical or measurable data. In contrast, qualitative studies rely on personal accounts or documents that illustrate in detail how people think or respond within society.
What are the 4 types of quantitative research methods? ›There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.