Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: What is research?
Introduction
Research as a natural process
Scientific research and common sense
Finding answers: How do we know something?
Basic, applied, and practical research
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 2: A paradigm for second language research
Research and the phenomena of second language
Four parameters for second language research
Parameter 1: Synthetic and analytic approaches
Parameter 2: Heuristic and deductive objectives
Parameter 3: Control and manipulation of the research context
Parameter 4: Data and data collection
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 3: The preparatory stages of research
Introduction
Where do research questions come from?
Phase 1: The general question
Phase 2: Focusing the question
Phase 3: Deciding on an objective or purpose
Phase 4: Formulating the research plan or the hypothesis
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 4: Contextualization of research
The what and why of contextualization
Locating the sources for the literature review
Reading the literature
Organizing and reporting the review of the literature
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 5: The components of research
The need for a plan
The research plan and the type of research
Making predictions and controlling variables
Making the research more effective
Types of data and variables
Internal and external validity
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 6: Research design: qualitative and descriptive research
Introduction
Qualitative research
Descriptive research
Multivariate and correlational research
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 7: Research design: experimental research
Introduction
The major components of experimental research
Single group designs
Designs using control groups
Factorial designs
Quasi-experimental designs
Separate sample designs
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 8: Data and data collection procedures
Introduction
The data collection parameter
Description of data collection procedures
Assuring the quality of the data and the data collection procedures
Using, adapting, and developing data collection procedures
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 9: Analyzing the data
Data analysis and the design of the study
Analyzing qualitative research data
Analyzing descriptive research data
Analyzing correlational research data
Analyzing multivariate research data
Analyzing experimental research data
Using the computer for data analysis
Summary
Activities
References
Chapter 10: Putting it all together
Reporting, summarizing, and interpreting the results
Reporting research
Closing the research cycle?
Summary
Activities
References
Appendix: References for further reading
Index