Appraising Research in Second Language Learning
A practical approach to critical analysis of quantitative research
| University of Granada
This title has been replaced by Appraising Research in Second Language Learning: A practical approach to critical analysis of quantitative research.
Second edition
(2010)
Hardbound – Replaced by new edition
ISBN 9789027216953 (Eur)
ISBN 9781588112538 (USA)
Paperback – Replaced by new edition
ISBN 9789027216960 (Eur)
ISBN 9781588112545 (USA)
e-Book – Replaced by new edition
ISBN 9789027297501
Designed for students of applied linguistics and TEFL on research training courses, practising language teachers, and those in training, this combination textbook/workbook is the first to provide specific advice and support to those wishing to learn how to approach the critical analysis of a research paper. It seeks to answer a current need in the literature for a set of procedures that can be applied to the independent reading of quantitative research. In an authoritative and accessible text, Porte examines the key components of a research paper in this field, highlighting those features demanding rigorous critical attention from the enquiring reader. Innovative features of the workbook include awareness-raising reading tasks and guided exercises to help develop and practise the critical skills required to appraise papers independently. Through informed and constructive appraisal of others’ work, readers themselves are shown how to become more research literate, to discover new areas for investigation, and to organise and present their own work more effectively for publication and peer evaluation.
[Language Learning & Language Teaching, 3] 2002. xx, 268 pp.
Publishing status: Obsolete
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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Preface
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ix–xx
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Textbook
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1. Introduction
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3–33
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2. Method and procedures
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35–93
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3. Results: The presentation and nature of findings
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95–138
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4. Discussion and conclusions
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139–149
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Workbook
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151–227
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Glossary of key terms in quantitative research
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231–246
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Appendices
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247–259
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Further reading
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261–262
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Index of main subjects in Textbook
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263–267
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“Many students and teachers in the fields of applied linguistics and TEFL are intimidated, and even frightened, by quantitative research. This book, which provides the reader with analytical tools for reading quantitative research in a critical and informed manner, is designed to dispel this fear. In it, the reader is introduced, in an accessible, though non-trivial manner, to all of the elements in a research paper, from the introduction, through methods and procedures, and results to discussion and conclusion. Particularly appealing are the clear examples, and the frequent questions interpolated into the text which invite the reader to interact with the content as it is developed.”
David Nunan, Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Hong Kong
“Statistics and research design no longer have to be foreign languages in the language teaching community. Professor Graeme Porte acts as a native-informant to these areas by providing systematic and clear explanations of essential research concepts. Even readers with no research background will feel more confident approaching the growing empirical literature in language education.”
Elaine K. Horwitz, The University of Texas at Austin
“Dr. Graeme Porte offers language teachers, students of applied linguistics and education, and even experienced researchers a fine book that leads then step-by-step through procedures that lead to a critical understanding of research in our field. Many people are turned off by research because they do not know how to comprehend or evaluate it. Conversely, others accept whatever is in print without questioning the research methodology. This book helps readers gain the tools to be good critics of research and to become stronger researchers in their own right. It is a practical, very useful book.”
Rebecca Oxford
“I highly recommend this book to any instructor who wants students to read quantitative research articles in L2 learning, applied linguistics, or foreign language education. I believe the book also has a place in research methods courses because of the way the author guides readers through the logic of research design and statistics.”
Amado M. Padilla, Stanford University, in The Modern Language Journal 88 (2004)
“This new volume by Graeme Porte provides students of applied linguistics with an innovative and readable treatment of how to understand research papers. In this impressively thorough effort, Porte not only demonstrates his command of the available literature on the writing of research papers, but goes significantly beyond it. The volume includes not only a helpful glossary, but also a useful set of workbook activities to help students get an experiential sense of both how to critically analyze a research paper and by extension how to prepare their own.”
Andrew Cohen, University of Minnesota
“On balance, Appraising Research in Second Language Learning is a valuable contribution to the field.It is not only useful for people who want to learn more about how to read quantitative research papers, but also for those who eventually hope to embark on their own research. Experienced researchers will also find Porte's thorough treatment of the subject helpful for monitoring and evaluating their own research.”
Christine C.M. Goh, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in Language and Education 19(3), 2005
“I think this book fulfills its two fold aim of developing critical readers and helping researchers do better research. it would be a useful reference for classroom teachers who would like to do research on teaching methods or materials.”
Louise Manga, Canadian Forces Language School on Linguist List 15-280, 2004
“Overall, Appraising research in second language learning represents a valuable contribution to the growing literature on L2 research methodology, and would benefit both novice and more seasoned researchers alike.”
Rebekha Abbuhl, Georgetown University, in TESL-EJ R8, December 2004
“This book is an excellent guide for graduate students and novice consumers of research. It is well organized and clearly written, and it contains sufficient examples to aid in the application of difficult concepts. His explanations of difficult concepts especially those of statistical procedures are accessible to those not well versed in statistics. The glossary is detailed, with graphs and other visual aids provided when needed. This book would be an excellent addition to any introductory graduate research seminar and could be used on its own or in conjuction with other texts. Students who use this book will come away with a heightened sense of how to read and write up research.”
Lisa DeWaard Dykstra, University of Iowa in Language, Vol.80 (3), 2004
“The author states in the preface that this book is intended "to guide student and novice researchers through their critical reading of a research paper in the field of second language learning" (p.ix). It does an admirable job of this and, in fact, should be required reading for every language researcher. As an instructor for a master's level research methods course, I believe that Porte is responsible and fair in his representation of the manner in which studies are reported and of the types of information that we should be interested in seeing as readers. Students using this book would certainly come away with a much clearer sense of how research concepts interact in the real world of a research study.”
Renée Jourdenais, Monterey Institute for International Studies, in Studies in Second Language Acquisition Vol. 6(3), 2004
“Porte's book is an excellent new tool in the field, and I would not have any reservations in using it in my own research, or with students.”
Florencia Franceschina, in ELT Journal, Vol.58.1, 2004
Cited by
Cited by other publications
No author info given
2003. Book and Software Reviews / Critiques de livres et de logiciels.
Canadian Modern Language Review 60:2 ► pp. 223 ff. 
Abbuhl, Rebekha
2012.
In Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition,
► pp. 296 ff.
Abbuhl, Rebekha & Alison Mackey
2008.
In Encyclopedia of Language and Education,
► pp. 3301 ff.
Baran-Łucarz, Małgorzata
2016.
In Classroom-Oriented Research [Second Language Learning and Teaching, ],
► pp. 39 ff.
Borg, Simon
2010. Language teacher research engagement.
Language Teaching 43:4 ► pp. 391 ff.
Brown, James Dean
2004. Resources on quantitative/statistical research for applied linguists.
Second Language Research 20:4 ► pp. 372 ff.
BURNS, ANNE
2008. Research in Applied Linguistics: Becoming a Discerning Consumer. Fred L. Perry, Jr..
TESOL Quarterly 42:1 ► pp. 157 ff.
Cohen, Andrew D. & Thomas A. Upton
2006. STRATEGIES IN RESPONDING TO THE NEW TOEFL READING TASKS.
ETS Research Report Series 2006:1 ► pp. i ff.
Cohen, Andrew D. & Thomas A. Upton
2007. `I want to go back to the text': Response strategies on the reading subtest of the new TOEFL®.
Language Testing 24:2 ► pp. 209 ff.
Farhady, Hossein
2012.
In The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics,
Jenifer, Larson-Hall
2007. BOOK REVIEWS.
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 10:6 ► pp. 771 ff.
Larson-Hall, Jenifer & Richard Herrington
2010. Improving Data Analysis in Second Language Acquisition by Utilizing Modern Developments in Applied Statistics.
Applied Linguistics 31:3 ► pp. 368 ff.
LISKIN-GASPARRO, JUDITH E.
2005. From the Associate Editor,MLJReviews: Presenting the Special Issue Reviews.
The Modern Language Journal 89:3 ► pp. 467 ff.
Mirzaei, Azizullah, Masoud Rahimi Domakani & Najmeh Heidari
2014. Exploring the relationship between reading strategy use and multiple intelligences among successful L2 readers.
Educational Psychology 34:2 ► pp. 208 ff.
Rahimi, Meisam, Samira Ghanbaran & Seyed Mahmood Kazemi
2013. A Review and Analysis of the Article ‘An Evaluation of the Testing Effect with Third Grade Students’.
Journal of Language Teaching and Research 4:5
Schoonen, Rob
2006. Book Review: Second language research: methodology and design.
Language Teaching Research 10:3 ► pp. 351 ff.
Sudina, Ekaterina, Jason Brown, Brien Datzman, Yukiko Oki, Katherine Song, Robert Cavanaugh, Bala Thiruchelvam & Luke Plonsky
2020. Language-specific grit: exploring psychometric properties, predictive validity, and differences across contexts.
Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching ► pp. 1 ff.
Thomas, Margaret
2011. CONTINUUM COMPANION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS. Brian Paltridge and Aek Phakiti (Eds.). London: Continuum, 2010. Pp. xiii + 370..
Studies in Second Language Acquisition 33:3 ► pp. 475 ff.
Thomas, Margaret & Nicole Pettitt
2017. Informed consent in research on second language acquisition.
Second Language Research 33:2 ► pp. 271 ff.
Wagner, Claire & David Maree
2007. Teaching Research Methodology: Implications for Psychology on the Road Ahead.
South African Journal of Psychology 37:1 ► pp. 121 ff.
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 27 december 2020. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.
Subjects
BIC Subject: CF – Linguistics
BISAC Subject: LAN009000 – LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General