Experimental Research Methods in Language Learning Chapter 1

Experimental Research Methods in Language Learning Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview

Leading Questions • What is research? • What do you think experimental researchers do in their research? • Do you think whether an experimental research design can provide an insight into language learning? Why or why not?

Experimental Research in Language Learning A systematic, quantitative research design that aims to: • understand aspects involved in language learning, particularly those that influence language learning or use. • examine a causal-like relationship between variables in language learning or use • evaluation the condition in which language learning can be optimized.

Examples of Experimental Studies • Chen and Truscott (2010) examined the effects of repetition and first language (L 1) lexicalization on incidental vocabulary learning using a posttest and delayed posttest experimental design. • Ammar and Spada (2006) investigated the effects of two corrective feedback techniques (recast and prompts) on students’ language learning performance.

Academic Research • An intellectual act to discover new facts or knowledge by attempting to go beyond existing knowledge through observing, collecting, and analysing evidence. • Academic research requires planned and organized actions for collecting and analyzing data in order to make appropriate inferences and warranted conclusions about the topic or problem under examination

Primary versus Secondary Research • Primary research concerns first-hand data (referred to as empirical data) from research participants or documents to answer research questions. • Secondary research does not require researchers to collect new empirical data (e. g. library research and a review of the research literature).

Applied Linguistics and Language Learning Research • Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field of research inquiry that is mainly concerned with language use in social contexts. • Key areas of applied linguistics closely related to language education include language acquisition, learning and pedagogy, language testing and assessment, and bilingualism and multilingualism.

Aims of Language Learning Research • To explore individual and environmental aspects associated with language learning or use; • To describe characteristics of language learning phenomena; • To explain how language learning develops and why language development differs among different individuals;

Aims of Language Learning Research • To predict language learners’ future learning behaviors, steps, performance or success; • To test or assess language learning or use as well as evaluating an effectiveness of a language instruction or program; and • To apply current knowledge or theory in classroom practice.

Quantitative versus Qualitative Research • Quantitative research seeks to determine a relationship between two or more variables. It is primarily related to numerical data, measurement and statistical analysis. • Qualitative research seeks to make sense of and understand the language learning and language use of an individual or a group of individuals in natural and classroom settings.

Mixed Methods Research • Combines quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study. • It is a pragmatic approach to a research design that draws on strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods to address a research problem more critically and thoroughly.

Cross-sectional versus Longitudinal Research • Cross-sectional research refers to a situation in which researchers collect data from one or more cohorts (e. g. , a person or group of people) at a single point in time. • Longitudinal research refers to a situation in which researchers collect the same aspects of information from the same participant(s) over a period of time.

Reasoning and Inferencing • Reasoning is defined as the act of drawing conclusions about a topic under study. • Deductive reasoning is a process where we make use of pre-existing theories to guide our observation or to direct our attention to what to observe. • Inductive reasoning is a process by which we first observe language learners’ behaviors or a particular phenomenon and then draw conclusions on the basis of those behaviors.

Research Vocabulary • Science and scientific knowledge • Empiricism and empirical evidence • Data • Participants • Theory • Constructs • Hypotheses

Characteristics of Good Researchers • Have genuine interest • Have both theoretical and methodological knowledge • Have common sense, common research knowledge, and critical thinking skills • Are tolerant of ambiguity and demonstrate persistence • Are transparent and socially and ethically responsible

Discussion • To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement “research is searching again and again”. Why or why not? • In your view, why is it inadequate to explain language learning by simply understanding the linguistic system of a particular language? • Discuss the characteristics of good researchers presented in this chapter. Are there any other characteristics that should be added?