1st Edition

Quantitative Methods for Second Language Research A Problem-Solving Approach

By Carsten Roever, Aek Phakiti Copyright 2018
    290 Pages
    by Routledge

    290 Pages
    by Routledge

    Quantitative Methods for Second Language Research introduces approaches to and techniques for quantitative data analysis in second language research, with a primary focus on second language learning and assessment research. It takes a conceptual, problem-solving approach by emphasizing the understanding of statistical theory and its application to research problems while paying less attention to the mathematical side of statistical analysis. The text discusses a range of common statistical analysis techniques, presented and illustrated through applications of the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. These include tools for descriptive analysis (e.g., means and percentages) as well as inferential analysis (e.g., correlational analysis, t-tests, and analysis of variance [ANOVA]). The text provides conceptual explanations of quantitative methods through the use of examples, cases, and published studies in the field. In addition, a companion website to the book hosts slides, review exercises, and answer keys for each chapter as well as SPSS files. Practical and lucid, this book is the ideal resource for data analysis for graduate students and researchers in applied linguistics.

    List of Illustrations

    Foreword

    Preface

    Acknowledgments

    1 Quantification

    2 Introduction to SPSS

    3 Descriptive Statistics

    4 Descriptive Statistics in SPSS

    5 Correlational Analysis

    6 Basics of Inferential Statistics

    7 T-Tests

    8 Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests

    9 One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

    10 Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA)

    11 Repeated-Measures ANOVA

    12 Two-Way Mixed-Design ANOVA

    13 Chi-Square Test

    14 Multiple Regression

    15 Reliability Analysis

    Epilogue

    References

    Key Research Terms in Quantitative Methods

    Index

    Biography

    Carsten Roever is Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics in the School of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

    Aek Phakiti is Associate Professor in TESOL in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, Australia.

    "This book affords beginning applied linguists an enjoyable journey through all important inferential tests to regression analysis. With their clear style, a wealth of language learning and testing examples, and online SPSS exercises, the authors make it easy to become statistics savvy and learn to love statistics. A fantastic resource!"
    Lourdes Ortega, Georgetown University, USA

    "Quantitative Methods for Second Language Research cuts through the mathematical jargon of statistical analysis and teaches researchers the necessary skills to carry out quantitative studies in applied linguistics. With real case studies and a problem-solving approach, it is a must-have resource for those who are embarking on quantitative research for the first time."
    Heath Rose, The University of Oxford, UK

    "In each of their coverage of twelve commonly used parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures, the authors discuss assumptions, significance testing, effect sizes, and SPSS examples. The straightforward writing style, practical problem-solving approach, and companion website make this book accessible and useful for beginners and veteran quantitative researchers alike."
    James Dean Brown, The University of Hawai’i at Manoa, USA