Data Collection Research Methods in Applied Linguistics

Description

The successful collection of data is a key challenge to obtaining reliable and valid results in applied linguistics research. Data Collection Research Methods in Applied Linguistics investigates how research is conducted in the field, encompassing the challenges and obstacles applied linguists face in collecting good data. The book explores frequently used data collection techniques, including: * interviews and focus groups * observations * stimulated recall and think aloud protocols * data elicitation tasks * corpus methods * questionnaires * validated tests and measures Each chapter focuses on one type of data collection, outlining key concepts, threats to reliability and validity, procedures for good data collection, and implications for researchers. The chapters also include exemplary research projects, showcasing and explaining for readers how the technique was used to collect data in a successfully published study. This book is an essential resource for both novice and experienced applied linguists tackling data collection techniques for the first time.

Heath Rose is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Oxford, UK. Jim McKinley is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics and TESOL at IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, University College London, UK. Jessica Briggs Baffoe-Djan is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at the University of Oxford, UK.

This book is a nicely balanced account of approaches to collecting data in applied linguistics research. The reading activities make the text interactive, fostering engagement with the content of the book as do the sample studies chosen to illustrate the points being made. An extremely useful book for students starting out on research as well as people teaching courses on research methods in applied linguistics. * Brian Paltridge, Professor of TESOL, University of Sydney, Australia * A masterfully written volume, providing clear, focused and very practical advice on data collection for applied linguistics research. Key concepts and procedures are explained succinctly and assuringly, with suggested reading, to enable students to 'think, discuss, and imagine'. A must-read for anyone who wants to carry out applied linguistics research in a proper manner. * Li Wei, Chair of Applied Linguistics, University College London, UK * This book-chock full of examples from published studies-is one that I have often wished I had. A text that is comprehensive yet accessible, students and veteran scholars alike will benefit in a major way from Rose, Briggs Baffoe-Djan, and McKinley's insights on the many decisions involved in collecting data. * Luke Plonsky, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Northern Arizona University, USA * What really impresses readers lies in the structure of each chapter ... This book also assists both experienced and novice researchers to strengthen their research work through the concepts of transparency of realities. * International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) *