EMPIRICAL METHODS IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

EMCL 3: Developing an experiment: from conception to implementation
Date: October 17-18 , 2006
Place: University of Murcia (Spain)

(To precede the conference of the Spanish Cognitive Lingusitics Association (AELCO-SCOLA) as a satellite event)

Application deadline: July 1, 2006

  The last few years have yielded promising experimental evidence for an embodied view of language. The work of researchers such as Bergen, Boroditsky, Matlock, Santiago, and Richardson, among others, has provided glimpses of the intricate cross-buttressing between language and other cognitive processes. In order for the promise of these finding to come to fruition, many more researchers will have to join the ranks of the field's leaders. The interdisciplinary training required to advance Experimental Cognitive Linguistics remains, unfortunately, scarce at most universities. As such, the focus for ‘EMCL III' will be ‘Developing an experiment: from conception to implementation.' The goal will be to gather gifted cognitive linguists lacking experimental training, with experienced researchers who will guide them in the development and implementation of an experiment.

Intended audience:

This workshop is aimed specifically at scholars with sound theoretical knowledge in their field though lacking in experimental training. Participants are not expected to have any background at all in experimentation. The ideal candidate will be in their 3rd or 4th year of graduate school in a theoretical linguistics program that endorses embodiment, possibly with some experience in corpus or discourse analysis, will have given much thought to a research question, and have concluded that experimentation might be a productive way to address it. Graduate students (post-grads, pre-doctoral, etc.), as well as post-doctoral researchers and junior faculty are also invited to apply. The only real prerequisite is a background in embodiment and language, and no experimental experience.

Please note: Unlike at previous EMCL workshops, attendance to this session will be strictly limited to the invited participants. No exceptions will be made so as to preserve the pedagogical integrity of the workshop

Format

A selected group of students (max.20) will be invited to participate. Students will be divided into four groups; each group will work with a researcher who will guide the group in selecting an idea, structuring and organizing an experiment, and carrying it out. The session will end with the presentation of findings and a general discussion.

Topics to be covered include:

-    Deciding on a research topic
-    Transforming the research topic into a research question
-    Developing experimental hypotheses and designing an experiment
-    Data collection
-    Statistical analysis and interpretation
-    Presentation of findings to an audience

Cost: 120 Euros

Accommodation: (to be announced)

Application:

To apply, please send the following by July 1, 2006. All materials must be submitted electronically to Monica Gonzalez-Marquez at mg246 at cornell.edu. Accepted applicants will be notified by August 1, 2006.


1. A two (2) page (1000 words maximum) statement describing
- your background,
- your reasons for wanting to participate,
- the researcher you would like to work with and why
- a description of at least one specific research question you want to explore.

2. A copy of your curriculum vitae.

3. One letter of recommendation from someone who knows your research, preferably your advisor. Have this person submit the letter directly to mg246 at cornell.edu

Faculty: 

• Monica González-Marquez
• Javier Valenzuela
  
  More information available soon