Key Methods in Second Language Acquisition Research - Alessandro Benati
8. Research Components in a Nutshell
Key Methods in Second Language Acquisition Research - Alessandro Benati
Alessandro G. Benati [+]
University of Portsmouth
Professor Alessandro Benati is Professor of Second Language Acquisition and Head of School of Languages and Area Studies at the University of Portsmouth. He is internationally known for his research in second language learning and teaching, with special emphases on processing instruction. He is a pioneering researcher in the area of second language acquisition (SLA) and has built a reputation on two fronts. On one front, he is a premier Italian language scholar producing the most empirical work on the teaching and acquisition of Italian in the world. On the other front, he is a scholar in the more general field of instructed SLA, with an emphasis on the effects of formal instruction on the acquisition of grammatical properties by second language learners. He has a strong publications record with 12 established monographs, chapters and articles in international journals (Language Awareness, IRAL, and Language Teaching Research).
Description
In this book the reader has been provided with an overall view of how research in second language learning and teaching is conducted using different research frameworks such as action research, experimental designs, observations, case study and psycholinguistics methods. The main principles and components of these frameworks have been explored and an exemplary study for each of them provided. Instruments to collect and analyse data were presented from both a qualitative, quantitative and mixed perspective. In the following sections some of the most common questions in relation to second language research will be considered.