Hostname: page-component-76d6cb85b7-hqrjx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-07-13T02:29:51.681Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Coming of age: the past, present, and future of quantitative SLA research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2020

Susan Gass ,
Shawn Loewen  and
Luke Plonsky
Susan Gass*
Affiliation:
Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
Shawn Loewen
Affiliation:
Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
Luke Plonsky
Affiliation:
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, United States
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: susangass@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

First, we trace the history of second language acquisition (SLA) from early stages in the mid-twentieth century to today. We next consider the status of the field in today's research world with a particular focus on all aspects of methodology and, finally, we take a look at the future and discuss issues related to scientific rigor in light of Open Science.

Information

Type
Plenary Speech
Information
Language Teaching , Volume 54 , Issue 2 , April 2021 , pp. 245 - 258
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Revised version of a plenary presented at the Montpelier conference on Research Methodology in the Field of Second Language Acquisition and Learning (30 May 2018).

References

Al-Hoorie, A., & Vitta, J. (2019). The seven sins of L2 research: A review of 30 journals’ statistical quality and their CiteScore, SJR, SNIP, JCR impact factors. Language Teaching Research, 23(6), 727–744. doi:10.1177/1362168818767191CrossRefGoogle Scholar
American Association for Applied Linguistics. (n.d.). Promotion and Tenure Guidelines. Retrieved 22 May, 2019 www.aaal.org/promotion-and-tenure-guidelinesGoogle Scholar
Brown, J. D. (1991). Statistics as a foreign language, part 1: What to look for in reading statistical language studies. TESOL Quarterly, 25(4), 569–586.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, J. D. (1992). Statistics as a foreign language, part 2: More things to consider in reading statistical language studies. TESOL Quarterly, 26(4), 629–664.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, J. D. (2015). Why bother with learner advanced quantitative methods in L2 research. In Plonsky, L. (Ed.), Advancing quantitative methods in second language research (pp. 9–20). New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Byrnes, H. (2013). Notes from the editor. Modern Language Journal, 97(4), 825–827. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.2013.12051.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, N. C. (2000). Editorial statement. Language Learning, 50(3), xi–xiii.Google Scholar
Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Fries, C. (1957). Foreword to Linguistics across cultures (Lado). Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.Google Scholar
Gass, S. (2001). Changing views of language learning. In Trappes-Lomax, H. (Ed.), BAAL Proceedings. Multilingual Matters. Change and continuity in applied linguistics (pp. 51–67). British Studies in Applied Linguistics 15.Google Scholar
Gass, S. (2009). A survey of SLA research. In Ritchie, W., & Bhatia, T. (Eds.), Handbook of SLA (pp. 3–28). Bingley, UK: Emerald.Google Scholar
Gass, S., Fleck, C., Leder, N., & Svetics, I. (1998). Ahistoricity revisited: Does SLA have a history? Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 20(3), 407–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gass, S., & Polio, C. (2014). Methodological Influences of Interlanguage (1972): Data then and data now. In Han, Z.-H., & Tarone, E. (Eds.), Interlanguage 40 years later (pp. 147–171). Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gass, S., & Selinker, L. (1994). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Gibson, J. L., Payne, S. C., Morgan, W. B., & Allen, J. A. (2018). The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's guidelines for education and training: An executive summary of the 2016/2017 revision. American Psychologist, 73(5), 678–682.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gonulal, T. (2016). Statistical literacy among second language acquisition graduate students (Ph.D. dissertation). Michigan State University.Google Scholar
Gonulal, T. (forthcoming). Statistical knowledge and training in second language acquisition: The case of doctoral students. ITL-International Journal of Applied Linguistics.Google Scholar
Gonulal, T., Loewen, S., & Plonsky, L. (2017). The development of statistical literacy in applied linguistics graduate students. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 168(1), 4–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goodwin, L. D., & Goodwin, W. L. (1985). An analysis of statistical techniques used in the Journal of Educational Psychology, 1979–1983. Educational Psychologist, 20(1), 13–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gudmestad, A., & Edmonds, A. (Eds.). (2018). Critical reflections on data in second language acquisition. Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hashemi, M. R., & Babaii, E. (2013). Mixed methods research: Toward new research designs in applied linguistics. Modern Language Journal, 97(4), 828–852. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.2013.12049.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hatch, E. (1979). Apply with caution. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 2(1), 123–143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelly, L. G. (1969). 25 centuries of language teaching: 500 BC[E]-1969. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.Google Scholar
Khany, R., & Tazik, K. (2019). Levels of statistical use in applied linguistics research articles: From 1986–2015. Journal of Quantitative Linguistics, 26(1), 48–65. doi:10.1080/09296174.2017.1421498CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lado, R. (1957). Linguistics across cultures. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.Google Scholar
Larsen-Freeman, D., & Long, M. (1990). An introduction to second language research. London, UK: Longman.Google Scholar
Larson-Hall, J. (2015). A guide to doing statistics in second language research using SPSS and R. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larson-Hall, J. (2017). Moving beyond the bar plot and the line graph to create informative and attractive graphics. Modern Language Journal, 101(1), 244–270.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larson-Hall, J., & Herrington, R. (2010). Improving data analysis in second language acquisition by utilizing modern developments in applied statistics. Applied Linguistics, 31(3), 368–390.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larson-Hall, J., & Plonsky, L. (2015). Reporting and interpreting quantitative research findings: What gets reported and recommendations for the field. Language Learning, 65(Supp. 1), 127–159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lazaraton, A. (2005). Quantitative research methods. In Hinkel, E. (Ed.), Handbook of research in second language learning (pp. 209–224). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Lindstromberg, S. (2016). Inferential statistics in Language Teaching Research: A review and ways forward. Language Teaching Research, 20(6), 741–768.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, Q., & Brown, D. (2015). Methodological synthesis of research on the effectiveness of corrective feedback in L2 writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 30, 66–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loerts, H., Lowie, W., & Seton, B. (2019). Essential statistics for applied linguistics: Using R for JASP. London, UK: MacMillan.Google Scholar
Loewen, S., & Gass, S. (2009). Research timeline: Statistical rigor in SLA. Language Teaching, 42(2), 181–196.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loewen, S., Lavolette, E., Spino, S., Papi, M., Schmidtke, J., Sterling, S., & Wolff, D. (2014). Statistical literacy among applied linguists and second language acquisition researchers. TESOL Quarterly, 48(2), 360–388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loewen, S., & Plonsky, L. (2015). An A-Z of applied linguistics research methods. New York, NY: Palgrave.Google Scholar
Loewen, S., & Sato, M. (2017). The Routledge handbook of instructed second language acquisition. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackey, A., & Gass, S. (2016). Second language research: Methodology and Design. New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Mahboob, A., Paltridge, B., Phakiti, A., Wagner, E., Starfield, S., Burns, A., … De Costa, P. (2016). TESOL Quarterly research guidelines. TESOL Quarterly, 50(1), 42–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marsden, E., Mackey, A., & Plonsky, L. (2016). Breadth and depth: The IRIS repository. In Mackey, A., & Marsden, E. (Eds.), Advancing methodology and practice: The IRIS repository of instruments for research into second languages (pp. 1–21). New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Marsden, E., Morgan-Short, K., Thompson, S., & Abugaber, D. (2018). Replication in second language research: Narrative and systematic reviews and recommendations for the field. Language Learning, 68(2), 321–391. doi:10.1111/lang.12286CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marsden, E., & Plonsky, L. (2018). Data, open science, and methodological reform in second language acquisition research. In Gudmestad, A., & Edmonds, A. (Eds.), Critical reflections on data in second language acquisition (pp. 219–228). Philadelphia, PA: John Benjamins.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mizumoto, A., & Plonsky, L. (2016). R as a lingua franca: Advantages of using R for quantitative research in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, 37(2), 284–291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norouzian, R., de Miranda, M. A., & Plonsky, L. (2018). The Bayesian revolution in second language research: An applied approach. Language Learning, 68(4), 1032–1075.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norouzian, R., & Plonsky, L. (2018). Eta- and partial eta-squared in L2 research: A cautionary review and guide to more appropriate usage. Second Language Research, 34(2), 257–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norris, J. M. (2015). Statistical significance testing in second language research: Basic problems and suggestions for reform. Language Learning, 65(Supp. 1), 97–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norris, J. M., & Ortega, L. (2000). Effectiveness of L2 instruction: A research synthesis and quantitative meta-analysis. Language Learning, 50(3), 417–528.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norris, J. M., Plonsky, L., Ross, S. J., & Schoonen, R. (2015). Guidelines for reporting quantitative methods and results in primary research. Language Learning, 65(2), 470–476.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paltridge, B., & Phakiti, A. (2015). Research methods in applied linguistics: A practical guide. London, UK: Bloomsbury.Google Scholar
Paquot, M., & Plonsky, L. (2017). Quantitative research methods and study quality in learner corpus research. International Journal of Learner Corpus Research, 3(1), 61–94. doi:10.1075/ijlcr.3.1.03paqCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Phakiti, A., De Costa, P. I., Plonsky, L., & Starfield, S. (2018). The Palgrave handbook of applied linguistics research methodology. New York, NY: Palgrave.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2011). Study quality in SLA: A cumulative and developmental assessment of designs, analyses, reporting practices, and outcomes in quantitative L2 research (Ph.D. dissertation). Michigan State University.Google Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2012). Replication, meta-analysis, and generalizability. In Porte, G. (Ed.), Replication research in applied linguistics (pp. 116–132). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2013). Study quality in SLA: An assessment of designs, analyses, and reporting practices in quantitative L2 research. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 35(4), 655–687. doi:10.1017/S0272263113000399CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2014). Study quality in quantitative L2 research (1990–2010): A methodological synthesis and call for reform. Modern Language Journal, 98(1), 450–470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2015a). Advancing quantitative methods in second language research. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L. (2015b). Statistical power, p values, descriptive statistics, and effect sizes: A ‘back-to-basics’ approach to advancing quantitative methods in L2 research. In Plonsky, L. (Ed.), Advancing quantitative methods in second language research (pp. 23–45). New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L., Egbert, J., & LaFlair, G. T. (2015). Bootstrapping in applied linguistics: Assessing its potential using shared data. Applied Linguistics, 36(5), 591–610. doi:10.1093/applin/amu001Google Scholar
Plonsky, L., & Gass, S. (2011). Study quality in interactionist research. Language Learning, 61(2), 325–366.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L., & Ghanbar, H. (2018). Multiple regression in L2 research: A methodological synthesis and guide to interpreting R 2 values. Modern Language Journal, 102(4), 713–731.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L., & Kim, Y. (2016). Task-based learner production: A substantive and methodological review. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 36, 73–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L., Marsden, E., Crowther, D., Gass, S., & Spinner, P. (in press). A methodological synthesis and meta-analysis of judgment tasks in second language research. Second Language Research. doi:10.1177/0267658319828413Google Scholar
Plonsky, L., & Oswald, F. L. (2014). How big is ‘big’? Interpreting effect sizes in L2 research. Language Learning, 64(4), 878–912.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plonsky, L., & Oswald, F. L. (2017). Multiple regression as a flexible alternative to ANOVA in L2 research. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 39(3), 579–592.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Porte, G., & McManus, K. (2019). Doing replication research in applied linguistics. New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Riazi, A. Z. (2016). The Routledge Encyclopedia of research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richards, K., Ross, S., & Seedhouse, P. (2012). Research methods for applied language studies: An advanced resource book for students. London, UK: Routledge.Google Scholar
Rining, W., Hu, Y., & Xiong, J. (2019). Effect size reporting practices in applied linguistics research: A study of one major journal. SAGE Open, 1–11.Google Scholar
Selinker, L. (1972). Interlanguage. International Review of Applied Linguistics, 10(3), 209–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, M. (1998). Programmatic ahistoricity in second language acquisition theory. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 20(3), 387–405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wasserstein, R. L., & Lazar, N. A. (2016). The ASA's statement on p-values: context, process, and purpose. The American Statistician, 70, 129–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ziegler, N. (2016). Synchronous computer-mediated communication and interaction: A meta-analysis. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 38(3), 553–586.CrossRefGoogle Scholar