Inference and generalizability in applied linguistics : multiple perspectives / edited by Micheline Chalhoub-Deville, Carol A. Chapelle, Patricia Duff.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Chalhoub-Deville, Micheline.

Chapelle, Carol A.

Duff, Patricia.

Series:

Language learning and language teaching ; v. 12.

Language learning and language teaching, 1569-9471 ; v. 12

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Applied linguistics--Research.

Applied linguistics.

Inference.

Reliability.

Physical Description:

vi, 248 p. : ill.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; Philadelphia : J. Benjamins Pub. Co., c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Concepts such as dependability/generalization and inferences are dealt with implicitly or explicitly in any research undertaken in applied linguistics. This volume provides a well-balanced and cross-disciplinary perspective on how researchers conceptualize inferences about learner acquisition and performances as well as dependability and generalizability of findings. The book is a collection of chapters by prominent researchers in applied linguistics, working in diverse domains such as vocabulary, syntax, discourse analysis, SLA, and language testing. The goal of the book is to bring attention to these issues, which underpin much of applied linguistics research and to highlight what is considered good practice so as to buttress confidence in the research claims made. The book represents current thinking on fundamental research concepts in applied linguistics and can be used as a textbook in courses on research methodology in applied linguistics. The book is also an excellent source of in-depth analysis of research conceptualization for applied linguistics researchers and graduate students.

Contents:

Inference and Generalizability in Applied Linguistics

Editorial page

Title page

LCC data

Table of contents

Drawing the line

Dependability

Generalizability

Inferences

Chapters in this volume

Perspectives on inference and generalizability in applied linguistics

Old and new thoughts on test score variability

Introduction

The roles of language testers

Language testers as testers

Language testers as researchers

Summary and conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Validity and values

Drawing generalizable inferences in language assessment

Validating test score inferences

Constructs and evidence as the basis for test score inferences

Generalization as reliability

Epistemology and research methodology in investigating the validity of test score inferences

Values and consequences in language tests

Notes

L2 vocabulary acquisition theory

1. The assessment basis for vocabulary theory

2. Inference in assessment

Construct inference

Theory inference

Inference, dependability, and generalizability

Construct definition as central

3. Progress for vocabulary acquisition research

Probing construct definition

Validation studies

Salience of L2 vocabulary assessment

4. Conclusion

Beyond generalizability

Inference

Generalizability in quantitative vs. qualitative research: Problematics and possibilities

Inference and generalizability in qualitative research: Case study and ethnography

Contextualization, complexity, and credibility

Capturing participants' (or emic) perspectives to bolster credibility

Enhancing generalizability: Representativeness or typicality of cases selected

Analytic generalization

Conclusion

Verbal protocols.

What do verbal protocols represent?

Some relevant research

Implications

Functional grammar

The object and purpose of the research

A research methodology for functional grammar

Intuitional data

Observational data

Elicited data

On the provisionality and partiality of linguistic inferences

Optimal level of generalizability

A conversation analytic perspective on the role of quantification and generalizability in second language acquisition

The interactionist hypothesis: An overview

A critique of mainstream work on SLA

The domain problem

The significance problem

The denominator problem

The numerator problem

Conversation analysis: An emprical example

Appendix 1: Transcription conventions

Discussion

What is the nature of ``generalizability''?

Consistency of observations and reports

Meaningfulness of interpretations

Meaningfulness in quantitative research

Meaningfulness in qualitative research

Consequences of decisions or actions for stakeholders

The researcher's responsibility for consequences

Dimensions of applied linguistics research

The observer/researcher

The entity of interest: The ``construct''

The nature and role of context

The observation and report

The observer's interpretation of the observation

Combining different perspectives and approaches in research

Note

Negotiating methodological rich points in applied linguistics research

Who researches whom in applied linguistics?

What do we research?

Where do we research?

How do we collect, analyze, and interpret data?

Why do we research?.

Final reflections

Author index

Subject index

The series Language Learning &amp

Language Teaching.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9786612155987

9781282155985

1282155989

9789027293688

9027293686

OCLC:

191930090