1. The Type of Data:
* Corpus Linguistics: This focuses on analyzing large collections of naturally occurring language (corpora). It's quantitative and uses statistical methods to identify patterns and trends.
* Introspection: This relies on the researcher's own linguistic knowledge and understanding to analyze language. This is often subjective and qualitative, relying on personal judgments about language.
* Experimental Linguistics: This uses controlled experiments to investigate specific linguistic phenomena. It often involves manipulating variables to observe how language is processed and used.
2. The Focus of Observation:
* Phonetics & Phonology: Observation of sound systems, including pronunciation, sound production, and sound patterns.
* Morphology: Observation of word structure, including the formation of words through morphemes (smallest meaningful units).
* Syntax: Observation of sentence structure, including how words are combined to form grammatical sentences.
* Semantics: Observation of meaning, including how words and sentences convey meaning.
* Pragmatics: Observation of language in context, including how meaning is influenced by social factors, speaker intentions, and the surrounding environment.
3. The Method of Observation:
* Direct Observation: This involves directly observing and recording language use in real-world situations.
* Indirect Observation: This involves using existing data sources, such as written texts, audio recordings, or online conversations, to study language.
It's important to note that these categories overlap, and many studies combine different approaches.
It's also worth noting that the type of observation used often depends on the research question being asked. For example, a study of language acquisition might use direct observation of children's speech, while a study of the evolution of a language might rely on the analysis of historical texts.