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Part of
Instructed Second Language Acquisition Research Methods
Edited by Laura Gurzynski-Weiss and YouJin Kim
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 3] 2022
► pp. 31–54

Chapter 2
Quantitative research methods in ISLA

| Florida State University

This chapter provides a comprehensive, in-depth discussion of quantitative research methods in ISLA. It starts by informing the reader of the basic elements and principles of quantitative ISLA research and the major research questions examined. It then identifies three categories of ISLA research: experimental, correlational, and observational, followed by a discussion of the methods for evaluating the quality of quantitative research from the perspectives of construct validity, internal validity, external validity, and statistical conclusion validity. The chapter proceeds to offer advice for future researchers on how to carry out original and robust quantitative research and propose strategies to address common methodological issues. A conclusion is offered at the end.

Keywords: quantitative research methods, instructed second language acquisition, experimental research, correlational research, observational research
Article outline
  • 1.The fundamentals of quantitative ISLA research
    • 1.1Nature
    • 1.2Variables
    • 1.3Statistics
    • 1.4Sampling
  • 2.Typical research questions in quantitative ISLA studies
    • 2.1Which types of instructional intervention are effective or more effective in enhancing L2 learning gains, behaviors, and processes?
    • 2.2What teaching/learning behaviors or activities, or what relationships between teaching/learning behaviors/phenomena, can be observed?
    • 2.3How can L2 proficiency, achievements, or learner traits be effectively assessed?
  • 3.Most common options for investigation using quantitative research methods
    • 3.1Experimental research
      • 3.1.1Design
      • 3.1.2Treatment
        • Treatment length
        • Selection of the target structure
        • Data elicitation
        • Instruction type
      • 3.1.3Assessments
      • 3.1.4Analysis
    • 3.2Correlational research
    • 3.3Observational research
    • 3.4Study quality
      • 3.4.1Construct validity
      • 3.4.2Internal validity
      • 3.4.3External validity
      • 3.4.4Statistical conclusion validity
  • 4.Advice for future researchers
  • 5.Troubleshooting quantitative methods
    • 5.1Sampling
    • 5.2Assessments
    • 5.3Data collection, coding, and analysis
  • 6.Conclusions
  • 7.Further reading
  • References
Published online: 8 December 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.3.02li
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