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Methods in Study Abroad Research: Past, present, and future
Edited by Carmen Pérez-Vidal and Cristina Sanz
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 4] 2023
► pp. 157–179

Chapter 7
Technology in cognitive research

Methods to examine second language processing in study abroad research

| Northern Illinois University
| Northwestern University
| University of Illinois at Chicago

This chapter provides an overview of research instruments and technologies that can inform questions about language processing among study abroad learners. Specifically, we consider behavioral, eye-tracking, and electrophysiological methods. For each method, we provide a description of the approach, including how data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Then, we summarize findings from research employing the method that includes a study abroad context. Finally, we consider the limitations of the method and gaps in the extant literature, and provide guiding principles for researchers interested in utilizing the technique. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research and a discussion of the utility of including processing measures in study abroad research to gain a more holistic view of second language development.

Keywords: language processing, reaction time, eye tracking, event-related potentials (ERPs), psycholinguistics, grammaticality judgment task, semantic classification task, priming, latency measures, self-paced reading and listening tasks
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Behavioral methods
    • Study abroad research using behavioral methods
    • Limitations and guiding principles of behavioral methods
  • Eye tracking
    • Study abroad research using eye tracking
    • Limitations and guiding principles of eye-tracking methods
  • Event-related potentials
    • Study abroad research using event-related potentials
    • Limitations and guiding principles of event-related potential methods
  • Future directions
  • Conclusion
  • References
Published online: 3 February 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.4.07far
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