1st Edition

Conducting Second-Language Reading Research A Methodological Guide

    160 Pages 30 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    160 Pages 30 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This is the first hands-on methods guide for second-language (L2) reading research. The authors expertly and critically situate L2 reading and literacy as a multivariate, interactive process and define terms, concepts, and research tools in connection with theory and a rich body of past empirical work, with lessons to learn and pitfalls to avoid. They concretely detail how to design empirical studies, collect data, and analyze findings in this important area.

    Authored by world experts on first-language (L1) and L2 reading, this book provides a comprehensive, critical, theory-driven review of methods in L2 reading research, offering a step-by-step guide from research design to study execution and data analysis.

    With useful pedagogical features and a unique database of L2 reading studies from around the world over three decades, this will be an invaluable resource to students and researchers of second-language acquisition, applied linguistics, education, and related areas.

    Preface

    Chapter 1: The Ethos of Second-Language Reading Research

    Chapter 2: Preparing to Ask and Asking Questions in Second-Language Reading Research

    Chapter 3: Analyzing Populations and Text for Research Purposes

    Chapter 4: Data Collection

    Chapter 5: Perennial Concerns in Second-Language Reading Research

    Conclusion: The Research Report and Beyond

    Appendix A

    Index

    Biography

    Elizabeth B. Bernhardt is Professor and Director of the Language Center at Stanford University. Her book Reading Development in a Second Language (1991) earned awards from the Modern Language Association and from the National Reading Conference as an outstanding contribution to literacy research. She is also the author of Understanding Advanced Second-Language Reading (2011) from Routledge.

    Michael L. Kamil is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University. He is an editor of each of the four volumes of the Handbook of Reading Research (1984, 1991, 2000, 2011), was an editor of Reading Research Quarterly (1991–1995), and was a member of the National Reading Panel and the National Literacy Panel. He was given the Oscar Causey Award for outstanding contributions to reading research.

    "Reading across languages and cultures is one of the most imperative abilities in today’s world. This groundbreaking book carefully examines the theory and research that drives one’s ability to read so that we can make principled implications for healthcare, legal and educational systems across the globe. The book underscores the responsibility of researchers to replicate scientific studies on reading with participants across different language populations. It is our duty."

    Cindy Brantmeier

    Conducting Second-Language Reading Research: A Methodological Guide achieves its goal of guiding readers through the background of L2 reading research, while offering a concrete and comprehensive code of conduct for researchers. This guidance is invaluable both for early career-researchers, and more experienced L2 researchers who wish to focus on reading research. What makes this guide outstanding is the effort put into providing readers with sets of realistic probing questions and key considerations in every chapter.”

    Chara TriantafyllidouUniversity of Cambridge, UK, BAAL News, Issue 123, Winter 2023