The Contextualization of research
A. Doing your research for an MA or PhD thesis, or an article? How to start?
▶ Selecting a ‘researchable’ topic - how?
1) From your experience and interests, or you can/may find some problems in the field of FLT/L.
2) Have you got an (or some) idea what do you want to do? I mean, decide a general (or if possible, specific) area to investigate. (It can be modified later.)
3) Then, decide your topic(s). Probably, not a topic, but a couple of topics. At this stage you can consult with your supervisor or colleges.
4) For 2) & 3), you have to review the literature related to the field. Why? To get some background knowledge
(cf. Nunan’s Chapter 10, p.212) Want to see more comprehensive research areas and topics than Nunan’s Table 10.1?
B. Which area? For example:
1. First/second language acquisition and learning theory
1) Comparison between differences and similarities of acquisition and learning 2) A study of language acquisition system
3) Learning strategies
4) A study on the characteristics and behavior of language learners
5) Acquiring process(success or failure) of a specific language skill among four language skills 6) A study of teaching methods using language acquisition/learning theory
7) Comparison between differences and similarities of L1 and L2
2. A historical overview of English education
1) A historiography of English education in Korea 2) A historiography of theories for English education 3) A historiography of curriculum and instruction in Korea
3. Methods in language teaching
1) Research of Pedagogy and pedagogical theory
2) A study of teaching methods for listening, speaking, reading and writing skills 3) A study of whole language approach
4) A study of possibility for applying a specific teaching method for a real educational context 5) Development of applicable teaching methods in Korean context
4. Communicative Language Teaching
1) The concept and principles of communicative skills 2) A study on communicative skills in the textbook
3) A study on the improvement of effective communicative competence
4) A study of pedagogical application for improving communicative competence 5) Diagnosis and analysis of problems related to fluency and accuracy
5. English teaching materials
1) A study on the theory and principles of the structure in the textbook
2) A study of analytic method for the textbook
3) The actual condition of communicative language function in the textbook 4) A scheme of applying communicative language function in the textbook 5) Analysis for a degree of involvement in the current curriculum and instruction
6. Assessment
1) A study on reforming a method for assessment 2) A study on Korean national exam.
3) A method for evaluation of language proficiency (Oral Proficiency Test, ACTFL, etc.) 4) An application of performance assessment (problems and the possibility of application)
7. The model of lesson plan
1) Development of a class model and a lesson plan improving specific language skills and functions 2) Development of a class model applicable to specific language learning theories and pedagogies 3) A study of lesson plans
4) The use of various teaching materials/equipment/tools
8. Curriculum and instruction
1) Analysis of curriculum and instruction 2) A historiography of curriculum and instruction
3) Appropriate development of curriculum and instruction 4) Analysis of the 7th national curriculum and instruction
5) A comparative study of the 6th and 7th national curriculum and instruction 6) Curriculum development
9. Teacher training
1) Pre-service teacher training 2) In-service teacher training
3) The development of curriculum and instruction for teacher training
10. Teaching literature
1) An effective teaching method using literature 2) The use of literature in English education
3) Development of teaching methods with literature 4) Analysis of literature in the textbook
11. Teaching cultural aspect
1) A study of the importance of teaching culture in English education 2) The use of culture in English education
3) Effective teaching methods through teaching culture
4) A study of the characteristics of English and American literature in the textbook 5) A study of descriptive methods for English and America literature in the textbook
12. English Education using Media Technology (Audio, TV, Video, Computer, Multimedia, Internet)
1) Analysis of advantage and disadvantage using media technology 2) The use of media technology in FLT/L(Child – Adult)
3) Assessment and development of multimedia teaching materials and contents (Child – Adult) 4) A scheme of using media technology in the actual classroom environment (Child – Adult) 5) Attitudes towards the use of media technology in FLT/L(Child – Adult)
6) Teacher training for using media technology (Child – Adult) 7) Establishment and use of multimedia language labs
13. Primary English education
1) A new way of developing primary school English education
2) Reform and problems of current primary English education policies 3) A comparative research of effective teaching methods
4) A study of involvement of primary school and secondary school English education 5) A study of extracurricular English learning and teaching
6) A comparative research between an extracurricular and a course English
14. Pre-school English education
1) A new way of developing pre-school English education 2) Problems of current pre-school English education policies 3) A comparative research of effective teaching methods
4) A study of involvement of pre-school and primary school English education 5) A study of extracurricular activities in English education
6) A comparative study between normal English courses and extracurricular ones
And more? Think!
C. Planning a Literature Search
1. Select the topic.
2. Define the terminology 3. Define parameter
Language Geography Time period
Type of materials (Books, Chapters, Journals, Theses, Abstracts)
Sector (Schools, University, Higher education, and probably private institutes)
4. List possible search terms 5. Select sources
Computer searching
Bibliographies (books, chapters, Journals and articles, abstracts, theses)
* Reviewing the Literature Checklist
1. All investigations require evidence of reading.
2. A critical review of the literature may not be necessary for small projects, but if a review is produced, it should include only relevant items.
3. Locate your nearest library and negotiate access.
4. Decide exactly what you need to know before you begin your literature search.
5. Select the topic.
6. Define the terminology 7. Define parameter 8. Select sources
9. Locate appropriate materials 10. Write up as you go along
Sources of information: paper and electronic
▶ A survey of bibliography and the review of the related literature for:
- Selecting the research topic (finding and selecting a problem);
- Broadening the perspective and narrowing down the question (by examining and reviewing current theories in a number of related disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, sociology, education, etc.);
- Focusing on the relevant information (avoiding unnecessary duplication of another’s work)
Where to find? First, go to http://weblib.hufs.ac.kr/seoul.htm
1) Paper
l Language and Language Behavior Abstract (LLBA) is published quarterly by Sociological Abstracts.
l Language Teaching (previously titled Language Teaching and Linguistics Abstracts), is a quarterly which lists references to journal articles, books, and reports in linguistics and applied linguistics.
l Resources in Education (RIE) (previously titled Research in Education), is published monthly by ERIC.
l Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE) is also published monthly by ERIC.
l Dissertation Abstracts International is published monthly in the U.S. by University Microfilms Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan).
l Psychological Abstracts and Sociological Abstracts
l MLJ (Modern Language Journal)
l Other Sources: References or bibliography of your course textbooks and journals, e.g., TESOL Quarterly, ELT Journal, System, Language Learning, Language Testing, CALL, CALICO, English Teaching(영어교육), BJET, Applied Linguistics(응용언어학), Foreign Language Education(외국어교육), Multimedia-Assisted Language Learning(멀티미디어언어교 육), Primary English Education(초등영어교육), 등.
2) Electronic
한국외대 서울캠퍼스 도서관 http://weblib.hufs.ac.kr/seoul.htm
E-Resource 로 접속하시면 국내외 거의 모든 영어교육 관련 저널을 전부 열람할 수 있습니다.
* 예) DBpia è 분야별 열람 è 교육 è (팬코리아영어교육학회, 한국영어교육학회, 한국외국어교 육학회, 한국초등영어교육학회, 한국멀티미디어언어교육학회, 등)
* 응용언어학회는 어문으로 선택하시면 됩니다.
ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center)
http://www.ericae.net
http://www.ericsp.org è click è http://www.eric.ed.gov/
click Search using selected fields (keyword, author, title, etc.), then …….
Commercial? http://www.google.com, http://www.amazon.com, etc.
g TASKS
- Find and submit 5 dissertation abstracts and 10 papers with URL (5 from Korean journals
& 5 from foreign journals) related to your MA or PhD topic from e-resources such as ERIC, ProQuest, DBpia, etc.
- http://proquest.umi.com/login
