Qualitative Research in Language Teaching and Learning Journals, 1997–2006

Abstract

In the light of widespread discussion of qualitative approaches to language teaching and learning research in recent years, this article reports on a survey of qualitative data‐based articles published in 10 major journals between 1997 and 2006. The survey revealed that 477 qualitative articles (22% of the total number published) had appeared in the 10 journals over this period, that the year‐by‐year totals were relatively stable over the 10‐year period of the survey, and that there was considerable variation among the journals. An analysis of the articles in terms of approaches to qualitative research showed that methodological eclecticism, rather than adherence to established traditions, is now the dominant characteristic of published qualitative work in our field.

Trends in Qualitative Research in Three Major Language Teaching and Learning Journals, 2006–2015

“…Although Benson et al (2009) attempted to distinguish different approaches, it is questionable whether only one approach was used in all of the studies surveyed. Moreover, there is no clear framework that distinguishes the various approaches used in qualitative research.…”

“…However, the results of the studies do not reveal what types of approaches and methods are commonly employed in qualitative research, and they do not make the difference between "approaches" and "methods" clear. Considering this issue, Benson, Chik, Gao, and Wang (2009) [1997][1998][1999][2000][2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006]. They also conducted a detailed examination to assess patterns in the approaches utilized.…”

Exploring Perceptions of Curriculum Change in Initial English Language Teacher Education: A Case in Argentina

“…Following a qualitative research paradigm (Benson et al, 2009;Richards, 2009), I interviewed 10 student-teachers and four teacher educators from the IELTE programme at ISFD 809 (Esquel, Chubut, Argentina). The students-teachers had started in the 2013 and 2014 cohorts following the 2007 curriculum and had transferred to the 2015 cohort under the 2014 curriculum.…”

Qualitative Research in CALL

“…As Hubbard (2009: 5) points out, 'qualitative and mixed-method studies are becoming increasingly common, especially in the area of computer mediated communication (CMC)' (see also Benson, Chik, Gao, Huang, & Wang, 2009;Jung, 2005;Kern, Ware, & Warschauer, 2004). So some researchers today prefer a qualitative approach to researching CALL -despite the common stereotypical view which still seems to be that quantitative methodologies provide the 'best' approaches to doing evidence-based and empirical research.…”