This volume presents the first collection of work on research synthesis in applied linguistics. It introduces readers­ ­to a cutting-edge approach for reviewing and summarizing exactly what accumulated research has to say about theoretical and practical subjects. John Norris and Lourdes Ortega first elucidate the value and practice of synthesis, and they challenge all members of the research community to adopt a “synthetic ethic”. The book then features seven empirical syntheses, each modeling rigorous synthetic practice in definitively reviewing the state of knowledge and research quality in important domains. Included are five meta-analyses on: Universal Grammar; Task-Based Interaction; Corrective Feedback; Instructed Pragmatics Development; and Reading Strategy Training. Also included are a qualitative meta-synthesis on Effective Teaching for English Language Learners, and a historiographical synthesis of Proficiency Assessment practices. Rounding out the collection are commentaries by two renowned experts in language learning and teaching research: Nick Ellis and Craig Chaudron.
Les mer
1. Contributors; 2. Preface; 3. Section I. Introduction; 4. 1. The value and practice of research synthesis for language learning and teaching (by Norris, John M.); 5. Section II. Research syntheses; 6. Introduction to Section II; 7. 2. Principles, parameters, and SLA: A retrospective meta-analytic investigation into adult L2 learners' access to Universal Grammar (by Dinsmore, Thomas H.); 8. 3. Investigating the empirical link between task-based interaction and acquisition: A meta-analysis (by Keck, Casey); 9. 4. The effectiveness of corrective feedback for the acquisition of L2 grammar: A meta-analysis of the research (by Valezy, Jane Russell); 10. 5. Effects of L2 instruction on interlanguage pragmatic development: A meta-analysis (by Jeon, Eun Hee); 11. 6. The effects of Explicit Reading Strategy Training on L2 reading comprehension: A meta-analysis (by Taylor, Alan); 12. 7. A meta-synthesis of qualitative research on effective teaching practices for English Language Learners (by Tellez, Kip); 13. 8. Research synthesis and historiography: The case of assessment of second language proficiency (by Thomas, Margaret); 14. Section III. Commentaries; 15. Introduction to Section III; 16. 9. Meta-analysis, human cognition, and language learning (by Ellis, Nick C.); 17. 10. Some reflections on the development of (meta-analytic) synthesis in second language research (by Chaudron, Craig); 18. Index
Les mer
The strengths of this volume are two-fold: First, it is clear from many of the chapters that a well-written meta-analysis can provide a state-of-the-art picture of a given area of research.[...] The second, and perhaps most important, strength of this volume is a methodological guide for conducting research syntheses and meta-analyses. The volume begins with a detailed discussion of the reasons and methods for doing such research, and throughout the chapters, there is considerable additional information. In fact, the empirical studies go to great lengths to document the procedures used in their analyses, and, indeed, such methodological transparency is an important component of synthetic research. Thus, anyone who is interested in conducting a meta-analysis will find this an invaluable volume, both as an instruction manual and as an example of the final product. In the first chapter, Norris and Ortega state that "this first generation of syntheses should probably set more modest goals of staking out the territory and raising awareness" (p.45). This volume clearly attains these goals and provides a firm foundation for future generations of synthetic research in our field.
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9789027219664
Publisert
2006-05-09
Utgiver
Vendor
John Benjamins Publishing Co
Vekt
650 gr
Høyde
240 mm
Bredde
160 mm
Aldersnivå
U, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet