This course aims to familiarize students with a variety of research methods in the fields of applied linguistics and TESOL, examining epistemologies, strengths, and weaknesses of various approaches. Students will draw on knowledge generated in the context of the class to conduct a small piece of original research. In addition, they will read and critique selected research in second language acquisition and become more sophisticated “consumers” of research in our field.

COURSE GOALS:
• You will have an understanding of the basic principles behind academic research.
• You will become familiar with a variety of research methodologies in applied linguistics.
• You will become familiar with various parts of academic research papers.
• You will understand the rigor required of good research but also the messiness involved in the research process.
• You will become a more informed consumer of research.
• You will know how to search for the relevant literature on a given topic and write a literature review.
• You will gain practical experience developing research questions, designing a study, finding research participants, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up a report.
• You will have an original piece of research in your hand!

REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook: McKay, S. L. (2006). Researching Second Language Classrooms. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Additional class readings available electronically from the course website (use your MyUW account).