Improving and Extending Quantitative Reasoning in Second Language Research

Quantitative methods, though widely used int he language sciences, require careful reasoning if they are to inform accurate interpretations and contribute to the accumulation of knowledge. The array of available methods and analyses is also rapidly expanding, presenting researchers with new possibilities in capturing complex relationships and challenges in interpreting results. This volume brings together experts to address common and emerging challenges and propose solutions in second language quantitative research methods. Chapters in part of the volume highlight basic concerns, illuminated by methodological research syntheses, with how data are collected, analyzed, and reported. They offer concrete recommendations for reviewing quantitative methods, validating research measures, designing causal studies, reforming statistical significance testing, and reporting research findings comprehensively. Chapters in part two of the volume present possible alternatives for making sense of increasingly complex quantitative second language data, introducing the potential contributions of structural equation modeling, mixed effects models, Bayesian hypothesis testing, and usage-based statistical analyses. The combined ideas and recommendations presented in this volume offer a watershed moment for improving and expanding quantitative reasoning in second language research."