In terms of research methods, Linguistics as a discipline is much closer to the 'hard' sciences than to Arts. It follows stringent scientific research procedures that involve data collection, analysis, interpretation, verification, generalization, justification and theorization. It can be inductive or deductive, quantitative or qualitative, cross-sectional or longitudinal, etc. It tends to be verifiable on objective grounds and evidence. Through this course students will be guided to develop their own research proposal and modes of argumentation. Also, the course surveys the major methodological approaches in the social sciences—ethnography, qualitative research approaches, and quantitative analysis—with particular emphasis on differences in the presentation and analysis of evidence.