Data Elicitation for Second and Foreign Language Research (Second Language Acquisition Research Series) 1st edition by Gass, Susan M., Mackey, Alison (2007) Paperback

by Susan M. Gass

The process of identifying and deciding on ways to collect data is one of the most difficult steps in conducting second language research. Data Elicitation for Second and Foreign Language Research takes up the challenge of demystifying the choice of data elicitation techniques, always with an eye to the intricate relationships that exist between such choices and the nature of an investigator’s research questions. Realizing that the identification of appropriate data-gathering methods can best be understood when techniques are contextualized directly within particular research domains, the authors synthesize and systematize an impressive body of practical knowledge, based on the approaches and results of years of L2 research in a variety of areas.This timely reference guide is specifically directed toward the needs of second language researchers, who can expect to gain a clearer understanding of which techniques may be most appropriate and fruitful in given research domains. Authors Susan M. Gass and Alison Mackey, both prominent scholars in the field of second language acquisition, leverage their perspective on the field as a whole to provide an historical context for each technique. After discussing common research questions underlying data elicitation measures in each area, they identify relevant types of data along a continuum with naturalistic language at one end, language produced in response to some sort of prompt in the middle, and language elicited in controlled experimental settings at the other end of the spectrum. Using step-by-step examples, they detail important ‘how-to’ aspects of data elicitation, and recommend specific guidelines to keep in mind. They use summaries of published research reports to illustrate different methods of data collection. They also provide samples of various types of data. Finally, they also provide a much needed summary of common misconceptions, caveats, and/or limitations to consider when collecting data.Data Elicitation for Second and Foreign Language Research is a perfect companion to the same author team’s bestselling Second Language Methodology and Design . It will be an indispensable text for graduate or advanced-level undergraduate students who are beginning research projects in the fields of applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) as well as a comprehensive reference point for more seasoned researchers. It will stimulate second language researchers to use data elicitation measures with a clearer understanding of their strengths and limitations and enhance researchers’ ability to modify and combine techniques to match their own research needs.

Genres: Linguistics, Language

Paperback

First published February 22, 2007

About the author

Susan Gass is University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages at Michigan State University. Her research is in Second Language Acquisition and includes the areas of Input and Interaction, Language Universals and Language Transfer.

More recently she has become interested in the area of attention and how it relates to acquisition. She has written/edited a number of books on second language acquisition and has taught and lectured in various parts of the world. She co-edits Second Language Acquisition Research with Alison Mackey - published by Routledge

Currently at MSU, she is the Director of the English Language Center, Co-Director of the Center for Language Education And Research, co-Director of the Center for Language Teaching Advancement and Director of the Second Language Studies Ph.D. Program. She recently served as President of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (2002-2008) and is Associate Editor of Studies in Second Language Acquisition.

She has been invited to give lectures in Europe (most recently, Greece and Germany) and in Asia (most recently, Japan, S. Korea, China).

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing on qualitative methods. Oddly organized by research area instead of research method.