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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. 305–328

Chapter 13
Writing

Researching L2 writing as a site for learning in instructed settings

| Georgetown University
| Universidad de Murcia
| Michigan State University
This chapter first provides a brief overview of the current state of L2 writing research conducted in or relevant for L2 learning programs in three areas: (1) L2 learning processes and outcomes associated with instructional interventions via the manipulation of tasks; (2) L2 learning processes and outcomes of classroom learners’ processing of written corrective feedback; and (3) written L2 development in instructed settings. We then analyze key methodological considerations associated with empirical research in these strands, together with a discussion of ways of assessing and interpreting the results from the perspective of language learning. In the final part we discuss methodological challenges facing future empirical investigations in each of the three areas identified and provide suggestions for addressing these challenges.
Keywords: L2 writing, L2 writing tasks, feedback, written corrective feedback, written language development, CAF measures
Article outline
  • 1.What is writing, and why is it important in ISLA?
  • 2.What we know and what we need to know about L2 writing in ISLA
    • 2.1Learning processes and outcomes through the manipulation of writing tasks
      • 2.1.1What we know
      • 2.1.2What we need to know
    • 2.2Learning through written corrective feedback
      • 2.2.1What we know
      • 2.2.2What we need to know
    • 2.3Written L2 development in instructed settings
      • 2.3.1What we know
      • 2.3.2What we need to know
  • 3.Data elicitation and interpretation options with example studies
    • 3.1Data elicitation and data types
      • 3.1.1Process data
      • 3.1.2Product data
    • 3.2Data analysis
      • 3.2.1Process data
      • 3.2.2Product data
    • 3.3Data interpretation
      • 3.3.1Interpreting the data
  • 4.Advice for future writing researchers
  • 5.Step-by-step guidelines and example studies
  • 6.Troubleshooting ISLA writing research
  • 7.Conclusions
  • 8.Further reading and additional resources
    • 8.1Books
    • 8.2Journals
    • 8.3Websites
    • 8.4Conferences
  • References
Published online: 8 December 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.3.13leo
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