- Qualitative Methods in ESL Research
Qualitative research involves investigations of concepts or phenomena that
are not numerically measurable, such as perceptions or opinions and the reasons
behind them. Methods used to gather such information in ESL research include
open-ended interviews (with ESL students or teachers) in which both the
interviewer and subject feel free to expand upon, diverge from or skip certain
questions. Other qualitative methods include classroom observation and analysis
of unscripted language use (such as recordings of casual conversations or
teacher-student conferences).
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Methods
Qualitative
methods are commonly used in ESL research because they are able to capture the
holistic nature of second-language learning. ESL learning is strongly affected
by extralinguistic factors such as students' cultural backgrounds and
attitudes, so learning can't be accurately analyzed just by looking at language
use in isolation. Research methods such as open-ended interviews and classroom
observation may also be more agreeable and less intimidating to subjects being
studied than participating in experiments or answering written surveys. A
potential disadvantage is the perception among some researchers that
qualitative methods are less rigorous and objective than quantitative ones,
which causes some qualitative research to be taken less seriously.
- Quantitative Methods in ESL Research
Quantitative research methods, which deliver measurable, replicable
results, are also used in ESL research. Typical methods include surveys and
questionnaires with fixed options for possible answers. Written questionnaires
in ESL research, for instance, may consist of multiple-choice questionnaires
asking ESL teachers about the teaching techniques they use; or surveys on the
student demographics of ESL programs.
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative Methods
Quantitative research methods are useful for delivering concrete numerical
data and testable theories. Thus, educational policymakers generally pay more
heed to results of quantitative than qualitative research. Quantitative
methods, however, can only shed limited light on the reasons behind the
numbers, and are thus better for describing patterns than explaining them.
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