Includes bibliographical references (p. 234-243) and index.

This introduction to research methods is designed to help students of applied linguistics, education researchers, classroom teachers, and teachers in training understand and critique published studies in the field of language learning. The book is highly accessible and does not assume specialist or technical knowledge. It presents a balanced and objective view of a range of methods including formal experiments, introspective methods (diaries, logs, journals, and stimulated recall), interaction and transcript analysis, ethnography, and case studies. Other topics covered are elicitation techniques, program evaluation, and action research. The book also emphasizes the practical and professional value to language teachers of initiating their own research. Tasks and exercises in each chapter help readers to develop the skills needed to formulate research questions: to collect, analyze, and interpret data: and to report the results to other professionals." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

1. An introduction to research methods and traditions
Research traditions in applied linguistics
The status of knowledge
Some key concepts in research
Action research
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

2. The experimental method
The context of experimentation
The logic of statistical inference
Additional statistical tools
Types of experiments
The psychometric study: an example
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

3. Ethnography
Principles of ethnographic research
The reliability and validity of ethnography
The importance of context in ethnographic inquiry
Contrasting psychometry and ethnography
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

4. Case study
Defining case studies
Reliability and validity of case study research
Single case research
The case study: an example
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

5. Classroom observation and research
Methods of classroom observation and research
A review of research
Classroom research: sample studies
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

6. Introspective methods
Some early introspective methods
Diary studies
Retrospection A sample study using introspection
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

7. Elicitation techniques
Production tasks
Surveys
Questionnaires
Interviews
A sample study
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

8. Interaction analysis
Comparing discourse analysis, interaction analysis, and conversation analysis
Child-adult interaction
Adult-adult interaction: interpersonal encounters
Adult-adult interaction: transactional encounters
Interaction analysis in a cross-cultural context
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

9. Program evaluation
Defining evaluation
The relationship between assessment and evaluation
The importance of process data in program evaluation
Points of focus for program evaluation
Evaluation and research
Elements in the design of an evaluation study
Doing evaluation: a case study
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

10. Doing research
Developing a research question
The literature review
Implementing the research project
Presenting the research
Conclusion
Questions and tasks
Further reading

Glossary of key terms in research

References

Index