Doing Research in Applied Linguistics: Realities, Dilemmas, and Solutions

What are the obstacles and problems in carrying out research? How do you overcome issues of validity, reliability and ethicality? Doing Research in Applied Linguistics: Realities, dilemmas and solutions addresses these issues and shows the reader how to undertake research whilst dealing with the challenges of this research involving real people in real settings. Each chapter features an experienced researcher focusing on a problem in a research project, and outlines the steps involved in solving the problem and completing a successful, and publishable, project. This book is essential reading for students studying research methods or for those embarking on their first research project.

Doing Research in Applied Linguistics: Realities, dilemmas, and solutions provides insight and guidance for those undertaking research, and shows the reader how to deal with the challenges of this research involving real people in real settings. Featuring over twenty chapters by experienced and up-and-coming researchers from around the world, this book:

• outlines the steps involved in solving the problem and completing a successful, and publishable, project;
• provides case studies of obstacles faced at each stage of research, from preliminary planning to report writing;
• addresses issues of validity and reliability during data collection and analysis;
• discusses ethical issues in research dealing with vulnerable groups including children, refugees, and students;
• includes examples from longitudinal studies, and both qualitative and quantitative research.

Doing Research in Applied Linguistics is essential reading for students studying research methods, or for those embarking on their first research project in applied linguistics or language education.