Understanding Research in Second Language Learning: A Teacher's Guide to Statistics and Research Design (Cambridge Language Teaching Library) (Paperback)

~ James Dean Brown (Author) "Many different approaches to studying the learning and teaching of language are currently being applied, all of which can be useful..." (more)
Key Phrases: alpha decision level, researcher expectancy, one alternative hypothesis, Placed Contin, United States, Test of English (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book does an excellent job of filling a major gap in the publications in our field... should be a boon to those of us who are concerned about properly training future teachers and applied linguists to critically read and interpret quantitative empirical research." Lyle F. Bachman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Product Description

This text focuses on the skills and processes necessary for understanding statistical research in language learning Designed for language teachers with no previous background in statistics, the paperback edition focuses on the skills and processes necessary for understanding statistical research in language learning. Brown explains the basic terms of statistics, the structure and organization of statistical research reports, the system of statistical logic, and how to decipher tables, charts, and graphs. By the end of the book, readers will be able to make knowledgeable judgments about the relative qualities of a study and to assess the value of the results of a study in relation to a specific language teaching situation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 30, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521315514
• ISBN-13: 978-0521315517
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #895,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars research design and statistics for the language teacher, August 14, 2000

By	Chris Elvin (Kanagawa, Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Understanding Research in Second Language Learning" is the perfect book for any teacher or researcher who would like to be able to critique or assess statistical research papers without having to spend an inordinate amount of time studying math in the process. The book starts off by asking the pertinent question "What is research?", before explaining clearly and concisely what variables are and how they can be identified, how data is measured, and how to choose the most appropriate statistical analysis for your particular research question. What I liked most about this book was the methodological approach to understanding what good research design is, and that the helpful diagrams, summaries and review questions made understanding rather easier than may have been otherwise. With this book, you will probably be able to understand ninety percent of the stats that appear in language research papers, and to follow the logic of almost all.

5.0 out of 5 stars Second language acquisition, June 13, 2009

By	Grzegorz Niechcial "book maven" (Poland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A comprehensive source of what a good research should be like. In addition to that the book offers variety of examples that explore step by step research in Second Language. I honestly recommend.