Use of dictionary research

The students should be able to
- explain what is done in research into dictionary use and explain its significance in lexicography,
- describe the current state of research in the field,
- show a basic understanding of empirical research,
- name different methodological approaches and explain them on a general level,
- develop appropriate scientific hypotheses for specific research questions,
- choose an appropriate method for their scientific hypothesis and apply it,
- analyse scientific publications from the field, formulate problems in the field and solve them through discussion,
- develop an individual usage study.

• Introduction to empirical research
• Introduction to research into dictionary use
• Current state of research
• Methods of research into dictionary use:
Participant observation
Thinking aloud protocols
Self assessments
(Structured) interviews
Questionnaires (pen & paper / online)
Tasks / tests (“speeded” where appropriate)
„Data collections“ (e.g., logfiles, corpora)
Reaction time experiments
Eye tracking studies
• Involvement of dictionary users
• Detailed work and reflection on methodology, analyses, and interpretation of data from user studies.
• Development of an individual usage study (case study) with short presentation

Lew, Robert. „Opportunities and limitations of user studies“. In Research into dictionary use / Wörterbuchbenutzungsforschung. 5. Arbeitsbericht des wissenschaftlichen Netzwerks „Internetlexikografie“, ed. Carole Tiberius und Carolin Müller-Spitzer, 6–16. OPAL - Online publizierte Arbeiten zur Linguistik, 2/2015. Mannheim: Institut für Deutsche Sprache, 2015. https://ids-pub.bsz-bw.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/3772
Müller-Spitzer, Carolin (2016): Aufgaben und Relevanz der Wörterbuchbenutzungsforschung Mitte der 2010er Jahre. In: Schierholz, Stefan J./Gouws, Rufus Hjalmar/Hollós, Zita/Wolski, Werner (ed.): Wörterbuchforschung und Lexikographie. 275-294.
Müller-Spitzer, Carolin (2016): Wörterbuchbenutzungsforschung. Berlin/New York. de Gruyter. In: Klosa, Annette/Müller-Spitzer, Carolin (ed.): Internetlexikografie. Ein Kompendium. 291-342.
Müller-Spitzer, Carolin/Koplenig, Alexander/Wolfer, Sascha (2018): Dictionary usage research in the Internet era. London/New York. Routledge. In: Fuertes-Olivera, Pedro Antonio (ed.): The Routledge Handbook of Lexicography. 715-734.

Knowledge and contents: Con07, Con08, Con02
Abilities or skills: H/D01, H/D09, H/D03, H/D04
Competencies: Comp02, Comp03, Comp09

Block seminar (date and duration to be announced)

1. Opportunity:

- Active participation,
- Analyses and interpretation of data from studies into dictionary use
- Development of a case study
- Written exam (120 minutes)

100% of the module’s final exam:

- 50% active participation; participating in practical exercises and presentation
- 50% written exam


2. Opportunity: The assessment on the second opportunity will be based on the same criteria.

For students who are offically exempt from attending: final exam (100%).

Academic misconduct (cheating, plagiarism in exercises or tests) will be penalized according to the University regulations on student assessment (“Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións”).

Attendance: max. 35

Requirements for participation: Students must obtain 25 ECTS in the first semester
Elective module in the second semester..
Language of teaching: German, English