Appraising Research in Second Language Learning: A Practical Approach to Critical Analysis of Quantitative Research (Language Learning and Language Teaching, V. 3)

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Summary: Recent reviews by faculty
Review: "Many students and teachers in the fields of applied linguistics and TEFL are intimidated, and even frightened, by quantitative research. This book, which provides the reader with analytical tools for reading quantitative research in a critical and informed manner, is designed to dispel this fear. In it, the reader is introduced, in an accessible, though non-trivial manner, to all of the elements in a research paper, from the introduction, through methods and procedures, and results to discussion and conclusion. Particularly appealing are the clear examples, and the frequent questions interpolated into the text which invite the reader to interact with the content as it is developed."
David Nunan,Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Hong Kong

"Statistics and research design no longer have to be foreign languages in the language teaching community. Professor Graeme Porte acts as a native-informant to these areas by providing systematic and clear explanations of essential research concepts. Even readers with no research background will feel more confident approaching the growing empirical literature in language education."
Elaine K. Horwitz, The University of Texas at Austin

"Dr. Graeme Porte offers language teachers, students of applied linguistics and education, and even experienced researchers a fine book that leads them step-by-step through procedures that lead to a critical understanding of research in our field. Many people are turned off by research because they do not know how to comprehend or evaluate it. Conversely, others accept whatever is in print without questioning the research methodology. This book helps readers gain the tools to be good critics of research and to become stronger researchers in their own right. It is a practical, very useful book."
Rebecca Oxford

"This new volume by Graeme Porte provides students of applied linguistics with an innovative and readable treatment of how to understand research papers. In this impressively thorough effort, Porte not only demonstrates his command of the available literature on the writing of research papers, but goes significantly beyond it. The volume includes not only a helpful glossary, but also a useful set of workbook activities to help students get an experiential sense of both how to critically analyze a research paper and by extension how to prepare their own."
Andrew Cohen, University of Minnesota