Statistical Modeling for (Actual) Hypothesis Testing : Building Cumulative Knowledge in Corpus Linguistics

Empirically informed hypotheses enable us to test to what extent generalizations from previous research are consistent with our results, or if adjustments are required to our existing knowledge. This Element provides a practical and accessible introduction to select statistical methods for evaluating empirically informed hypotheses.

By building knowledge in a deliberate and systematic manner, we can gain a more complete understanding of a given research area relevant to corpus linguists. Specifically, empirically informed hypotheses (i.e., hypotheses that result from a synthesis of findings from all relevant prior studies) play a key role in this endeavor in that they enable us to test to what extent generalizations from previous research are consistent with our results, or if we need to make adjustments to our existing knowledge or theory. In this Element, we aim to provide a practical and accessible introduction to select statistical methods for evaluating such empirically informed hypotheses. In particular, we illustrate techniques from the broader null-hypothesis significance testing framework (e.g., equivalence testing), and structural equation modeling framework (e.g., measured variable path analysis), with the goal of encouraging knowledge building in a more principled and systematic manner in corpus linguistics.