The module introduces students to psychophysiological methods to carry out experiments in translation-related contexts. In Translation Studies experiments...

Psychophysiological Methods in Translation Studies (CMII0147)

The module introduces students to psychophysiological methods to carry out experiments in translation-related contexts. In Translation Studies experiments pertains to the study of translators’ and interpreters’ behaviour, when carrying out specific tasks, of reception of translations, of the development of specific skills, and novel investigations appear every year. The module offers an introduction to these practices and stimulates an understanding of the sophisticated methods that can support research carried out collecting data with eye-trackers, electroencephalograms (EEG), electrocardiograms (ECG), and galvanic skin response (GSK). Focusing on notions of validity, reliability, and credibility, the module will guide through the different phases of designing experiments driven by data collection through ECG, EEG, eye-tracking, GSK, and emotion analysis through face recognition. The quantitative methods discussed in the module could then be applied to dissertation projects in both for 60- and 90-credit modules (CMII0106; CMII0118; CMII0119) and to further research in the field. The module is driven by a collaborative approach and relies on group work. The module will cover the following topics: 1) Research questions, hypotheses, and experiment design; 2) Ethics, protocols, participants; 3) Data analysis and interpretation. 

Preparatory Readings 

Saldanha, Gabriela and Sharon O’Brien. 2014. Research Methodologies in Translation Studies. London: Routledge. 

Hale, Sandra B. and Jemima Napier. 2013. Research Methods in Interpreting: a Practical Resource. London: Bloomsbury Academic. 

Mellinger, Christopher D. and Thomas A. Hanson. 2017. Quantitative Research Methods in Translation and Interpreting Studies. London: Routledge. 

Students will undertake a translational research project within existing research groups at UCL and/or with industry partners. Topics will include stem cell...