Using the site's "Text Content Analysis Tool" for academic research

[caramac]

I am currently writing an MA research paper in linguistics and need to generate some general statistics (word count, # of words per sentence, average words per sentence, etc.) for a number of short text excerpts. As far as I can tell, the content analysis tool on this website (https://www.usingenglish.com/resources/text-statistics.php) should be able to do all that I need it to.

My question: Has anyone used this tool for academic research? If so, how did you cite it? I.e. what is the name of the software being used here? And, most importantly, does anyone have any information on the reliability of the results generated?

Any input would be much appreciated!

 

[Tdol]

There's a more advanced version here: https://www.usingenglish.com/members/text-analysis/
The Help page explains how the calculations are made.

The routines and algorithms are publicly available, the code to implement them was written in-house by Adam King, the webmaster here, together with an additional tool provided by Alex Russell, a teacher and games writer. I've never cited it, but I would follow your style manual's guides for a webpage.

They have been tested by a number of people for accuracy, but are provided on an as-is basis.

 

[caramac]

Many thanks, Tdol!

Can you please send a link to the Help page / information on how the calculations are made. I can't seem to find it. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tdol]

Put a text in in the members' area and you'll see a help button that opens it. The link is https://www.usingenglish.com/members/text-analysis/help/summary.html and you can click for further information on pages like https://www.usingenglish.com/members/text-analysis/help/readability.html.

 

[konungursvia]

I think using that as a tool for an MA thesis is a great idea. I would try to include other tools, as well.

 

[Tdol]

It has been used before for plenty of academic papers, but I agree with you that also using other tools is a good idea.