Includes bibliographical references (p. [317]-328) and index.

Preface

Part One: Key Issues in Research Methodology
1. Introduction: What is research and how does this book approach it? -- 1.1 The good researcher? -- 1.2 My approach to research methodology -- 1.3 The content of this book -- 1.4 Further reading
2. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research -- 2.1 The qualitative-quantitative distinction -- 2.2 Quantitative research -- 2.3 Qualitative research -- 2.4 Mixed methods research -- 2.5 My own paradigmatic stance
3. Quality criteria, research ethics, and other research issues -- 3.1 Quality criteria for research -- 3.2 Research ethics -- 3.3 Research questions and hypotheses -- 3.4 Other essentials for launching a study: pilot study, research log, and data management
4. Longitudinal versus cross-sectional research -- 4.1 Definition and purpose of longitudinal research -- 4.2 Longitudinal research in applied linguistics -- 4.3 Main types of longitudinal designs -- 4.4 Longitudinal qualitative research -- 4.5 Longitudinal mixed designs -- 4.6 Choosing a design: longitudinal or cross-sectional? -- 4.7 Quantitative longitudinal data analysis

Part Two: Data Collection
5. Quantitative data collection -- 5.1 Sampling in quantitative research -- 5.2 Questionnaire surveys -- 5.3 Experimental and quasi-experimental studies -- 5.4 Collecting quantitative data via the Internet
6. Qualitative data collection -- 6.1 Qualitative data -- 6.2 Sampling and qualitative research -- 6.3 Ethnography -- 6.4 Interviews -- 6.5 Focus group interviews -- 6.6 Introspective methods -- 6.7 Case studies -- 6.8 Diary studies -- 6.9 Research journals
7. Mixed methods research: purpose and design -- 7.1 The purpose of mixed methods research -- 7.2 The compatibility of different research paradigms -- 7.3 Main types of mixed methods designs -- 7.4 Why don't people mix methods more?
8. Classroom research -- 8.1 Origins and main types of classroom research -- 8.2 Classroom observation -- 8.3 Mixed methods classroom research -- 8.4 Difficulties and challenges in classroom research -- 8.5 Action research

Part Three: Data Analysis 9. Quantitative data analysis -- 9.1 Computerized data analysis and SPSS -- 9.2 Preparing the data for analysis -- 9.3 Data reduction and reliability analysis -- 9.4 Key statistical concepts -- 9.5 Descriptive statistics -- 9.6 Comparing two groups: t-tests -- 9.7 Comparing more than two groups: analysis of variance (ANOVA) -- 9.8 Correlation -- 9.9 Non-parametric tests -- 9.10 Advanced statistical procedures 10. Qualitative data analysis -- 10.1 Main principles of qualitative data analysis -- 10.2 Qualitative content analysis -- 10.3 Grounded theory -- 10.4 Computer-aided qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS)
11. Data analysis in mixed methods research -- 11.1 Data transformation -- 11.2 Extreme case analysis -- 11.3 Typology/category development -- 11.4 Multiple level analysis -- 11.5 Computer-aided mixed methods data analysis

Part Four: Reporting Research Results
12. Writing a quantitative report -- 12.1 Two functions of academic writing -- 12.2 Style manuals -- 12.3 The structure of the quantitative research report -- 12.4 Reader-friendly data presentation methods
13. Writing qualitative and mixed methods reports -- 13.1 Writing a qualitative report -- 13.2 Writing a mixed methods report

Part Five: Summing Up 14. How to choose the appropriate research method -- 14.1 General recommendation I: adopt a pragmatic approach -- 14.2 Research content considerations -- 14.3 Audience considerations -- 14.4 Practical considerations -- 14.5 Personal considerations -- 14.6 General recommendation II: consider mixing methodologies -- 14.7 Final words

Afterword

Bibliography

Index

"This is a very practical and accessible book that offers a comprehensive overview of research methodology in applied linguistics by describing the various stages of qualitative and quantitative investigations, from collecting the data to reporting the results. It also discusses 'mixed methods', that is, the various combinations of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The book provides concise descriptions of the various procedures, varied illustrations and suggestions to help to put the specific techniques into action, and models on how to report the findings of the various methods in seminar papers, dissertations, and research articles. Comprehensive overview; Practical, hands-on focus; Accessible style, even when discussing statistical methods; Coverage of both qualitative and quantitative research; Pioneering discussion of mixed methods research; Examples of how to report research results" (Book Cover)