Corpus linguistics is not just for linguists

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to generate awareness of and interest in the techniques used in computer-based corpus linguistics, focusing on their methodological implications for research in library and information science (LIS). Design/methodology/approach This methodology paper provides an overview of computer-based corpus linguistics, describes the main techniques used in this field, assesses its strengths and weaknesses, and presents examples to illustrate the value of corpus linguistics to LIS research. Findings Overall, corpus-based techniques are simple, yet powerful, and they support both quantitative and qualitative analyses. While corpus methods alone may not be sufficient for research in LIS, they can be used to complement and to help triangulate the findings of other methods. Corpus linguistics techniques also have the potential to be exploited more fully in LIS research that involves a higher degree of automation (e.g. recommender systems, knowledge discovery systems, and text mining). Practical implications Numerous LIS researchers have drawn attention to the lack of diversity in research methods used in this field, and suggested that approaches permitting mixed methods research are needed. If LIS researchers learn about the potential of computer-based corpus methods, they can diversify their approaches. Originality/value Over the past quarter century, corpus linguistics has established itself as one of the main methods used in the field of linguistics, but its potential has not yet been realized by researchers in LIS. Corpus linguistics tools are readily available and relatively straightforward to apply. By raising awareness about corpus linguistics, the author hopes to make these techniques available as additional tools in the LIS researcher’s methodological toolbox, thus broadening the range of methods applied in this field.

Trends in genre analysis articles on scientific abstract structures: A Quantitative content analysis

“…However, genre analysis is a recommended methodological approach to be in the toolbox of LIS researchers (e.g. Andersen, 2009; Bowker, 2018), it has received limited attention in LIS journals. Journals highlighted in present study results may be beneficial for researchers in selecting suitable journals, as they have the potential to publish future genre analysis studies on scientific abstract structures.…”

Methods for demonstrating a competence and criteria for evaluating a competence in STCW Convention

“…Its efficiency depends on tools used [2]. Corpus analysis tool counts rapidly and simply the number of words (tokens) and different words (types) in the corpus [5]. The software used for the analysis in this paper is Wordsmith 7.0.…”

Investigating the participation of business librarians in academic program reviews using corpus-based methods

“…The corpus documents were examined with the help of corpus analysis software known as WordSmith Tools (Scott, 2017). Bowker (2018) provides a detailed description of different ways that corpus-based techniques can be effectively applied in LIS research. For the present study, two basic types of analysis were conducted: quantitative analyses, such as calculating the total percentage of each document that was devoted to discussing library matters, and qualitative analyses, such as examining sections of the documents that discuss library-related topics to identify themes.…”

“…LIS researchers can benefit from employing other approaches to complement survey-based studies. As explained by Bowker (2018), corpus linguistics is a field that has spawned a range of techniques that have the potential to be applied in LIS research. In this article, we put some corpus-based techniques into practice in a pilot study that investigates the contribution of academic business librarians to the program review process of new and existing graduate programs at a business school in Canada.…”