Abstract
Our research explores the relationship between cognition and language. The focus of this paper is to discuss how we embarked upon remote data collection with children during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we investigate cognitive processes of non-verbal intelligence, working memory, implicit statistical learning, and speed of automatization (measured with the multiple-trial Tower of Hanoi puzzle). Here we focus primarily on the speed of automatization, partly because of theoretical interest, and because it is more difficult to adapt to an online format due to the motor component of the task. We established a hybrid method of data collection where the researcher was present online to guide children through a battery of language and cognitive tasks. We used a videoconferencing platform, a digital visualiser, and a physical puzzle which we posted to each child prior to commencing the research sessions. We also designed an online version of the puzzle with support from the Getting Data project. We discuss the methodology of our study and the lessons learned during remote data collection.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Linguistics Vanguard |
Early online date | 5 Jan 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 5 Jan 2024 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementThis project was supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (grant number ID-1195918) awarded to the second author. We are grateful to the Getting Data project for their support in partial funding to enable us to complete the design of our online MToH task. Finally, we would like to take the opportunity to thank the children and their families for participating in our study.
Research funding: This work was supported by Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100005156) under the grant no. 1195918.
Keywords
- remote data collection
- language acquisition
- speed of automatization