Open Methods

Abstract

Open Methods are resources that pertain to at least one stage in the linguistics research process and are available free of charge to all who can find them. This chapter describes the current state of Open Methods in linguistics, including benefits and structural barriers to further development. Then, in the spirit of the dictum that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, the authors discuss how Open Access (a longer-developed cousin to Open Methods that focuses on publishing research) fails to adequately serve research(ers) in the global context despite its agreeable basic premise. They critically assess whether Open Methods can help decolonize linguistics research—or whether it merely allows already privileged linguistics to accrue greater privilege. The chapter ultimately presents a cautiously optimistic model for anticolonial Open Methods in linguistics, with recommendations and examples of practices and policies throughout.