he effect of structural factors on generalization of results: the raising of postonic vowels in Varsul data

Abstract

This study aims at discussing questions concerning the effect of methods on the variable rule description. Methodological issues - sampling procedures and analytical strategies - adopted in five studies about final and non final postonic vowel raising (Schmitt, 1987; Vieira, 1994; Roveda, 1998; Carniato, 2000 and Vieira, 2002) are considered and analysed. The discussion is guided by the concepts of regularity and intersubjectivity, fundamental to the  generalization of results, according to Bailey and Tillery (2004).