Full Description
Newly updated and revised, this popular text provides a solid introduction to the foundations of research methods, with the goal of enabling students and professionals in the field of applied linguistics to become not just casual consumers of research who passively read bits and pieces of a research article, but discerning consumers able to effectively use published research for practical purposes in educational settings. All issues important for understanding and using published research for these purposes are covered. Key principles are illustrated with research studies published in refereed journals across a wide spectrum of applied linguistics. Exercises throughout the text encourage readers to engage interactively with what they are reading at the point when the information is fresh in their minds. Changes in the second edition: new examples in chapter two reflecting formatting changes made by ERIC major reordering in chapter four to better represent the sample typesreorganization of chapters six and seven to enhance cohesion of the themes being discussed updated references and recommended reading lists in all chapters.
Contents
PrefaceList of Acronyms and AbbreviationsPART I: FUNDAMENTALS FOR DISCERNING CONSUMERS1 Understanding the Nature of Research 2 How to Locate Research3 Understanding the Framework of a Primary Research Article 4 Understanding Where Data Come From: The Sample5 Understanding Research DesignsSection 1: Classifying Research DesignsSection 2: Questions and DesignsSection 3: Internal Validity6 Understanding Data Gathering7 Understanding Research ResultsSection 1: Presentation and Analysis of Verbal DataSection 2: Presentation and Analysis of Numerical Data8 Discerning Discussions & Conclusions: Completing the Picture Appendix A Constructing a Literature ReviewAppendix B Going to the Next Level of StatisticsAppendix C Journals Related to Applied LinguisticsGlossaryReferencesWeb site References Index
