New book: Experimental Methods in Language Acquisition Research

[elma blom]

Experimental Methods in Language Acquisition Research
Edited by Elma Blom and Sharon Unsworth
University of Amsterdam / Utrecht University
http://www.benjamins.com/cgi-bin/t_bookview.cgi?bookid=LL%26LT%2027
Language Learning & Language Teaching 27
2010. vii, 292 pp.
Hardbound : 978 90 272 1996 1 / EUR 105.00 / USD 158.00
Paperback : 978 90 272 1997 8 / EUR 36.00 / USD 54.00
e-Book – Available from e-book platforms: 978 90 272 8795 3 / EUR 105.00 /
USD 158.00

Experimental Methods in Language Acquisition Research provides students and
researchers interested in language acquisition with comprehensible and
practical information on the most frequently used methods in language
acquisition research. It includes contributions on first and child/adult
second language learners, language-impaired children, and on the acquisition
of both spoken and signed language. Part I discusses specific experimental
methods, explaining the rationale behind each one, and providing an overview
of potential participants, the procedure and data-analysis, as well as
advantages and disadvantages and dos and don’ts. Part II focuses on
comparisons across groups, addressing the theoretical, applied and
methodological issues involved in such comparative work. This book will not
only be of use to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, but also
to any scholars wishing to learn more about a particular research method. It
is suitable as a textbook in postgraduate programs in the fields of
linguistics, education and psychology.

Table of contents
Preface  vii–viii
Introduction  1–10
Chapter 1. Production methods in language acquisition research
Sonja Eisenbeiss 11–34
Chapter 2. Using comprehension methods in language acquisition research
Cristina Schmitt and Karen Miller 35–56
Chapter 3. Using Magnitude Estimation in developmental linguistic research
Antonella Sorace 57–72
Chapter 4. Using infant and toddler testing methods in language acquisition
research
Elizabeth K. Johnson and Tania S. Zamuner 73–94
Chapter 5. Using Event-Related Potentials in language acquisition research
Judith Rispens and Evelien Krikhaar 95–114
Chapter 6. Using eyetracking in language acquisition research
Julie C. Sedivy 115–138
Chapter 7. Using on-line processing methods in language acquisition research

Theodoros Marinis 139–162
Chapter 8. Using computational modeling in language acquisition research
Lisa Pearl 163–184
Chapter 9. Measuring second language proficiency
Jan H. Hulstijn 185–200
Chapter 10. Comparing L1 children, L2 children and L2 adults
Sharon Unsworth and Elma Blom 201–222
Chapter 11. Comparing typically-developing children and children with
specific language impairment
Johanne Paradis 223–244
Chapter 12. Measuring the linguistic development of deaf learners
Anne Baker and Beppie van den Bogaerde 245–268
Chapter 13. How to design and analyze language acquisition studies
Hugo Quene 269–284
Contributors  285–288
Index  289–292

“Language acquisition researchers should ideally be able to explore their
questions with whichever methods are best suited to the problem at hand.
Fortunately, recent years have witnessed huge growth in the diversity and
sophistication of the experimental tools available for developmental
research, including different on-line methods, electrophysiological
procedures, and techniques for working with very young children. But this
creates the challenge of how to master these exciting new methods. Blom and
Unsworth have succeeded in gathering a treasure trove of valuable
information on language acquisition methods, which will prove indispensable
for novice and experienced researchers alike. The shared format of the
different chapters makes them particularly easy to read, and it is
fascinating to read the collections of pros, cons, and "dos and don'ts" that
conclude each chapter. In addition to helping researchers who are taking
their first steps with novel experimental methods, the chapters in the
volume provide rare 'behind-the-scenes' commentary that should be useful for
any consumers of the results that emerge from the various techniques.”
Colin Phillips, Professor, University of Maryland

“This book fills an obvious gap in the literature of language acquisition
research. It includes a comprehensive, state-of-the-art presentation of
different experimental techniques, suggests their suitability for different
populations of learners and points out the level of linguistic knowledge
they tap into, providing guidelines which are psycholinguistically
sophisticated and, at the same time, linguistically informed. Research
methodologies into typical and atypical first language development as well
as second language acquisition by children and adults are supplemented by
advice on good practices in data elicitation and analysis, in ethical
research conduct and in raised sensitivity to researcher-participant
interactions. The book is an essential reading to anyone seeking to carry
out sound psycholinguistic research on language development.”
Ianthi Maria Tsimpli, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

“This volume contains an impressive collection of chapters that overviews a
broad variety of current research methods in language acquisition that are
targeted at a range of subject populations. It offers excellent practical
information about diverse research methods written by experts in an
informative and accessible style. This volume will serve as a valuable guide
for graduate students just embarking on their research careers, as well as
for seasoned researchers who might be interested in approaching their
research from a different methodological perspective. The pros and cons of
particular methods are clearly discussed, useful web resources are provided
when applicable, and examples of research taken from foundational as well as
more recent studies are provided. Even for researchers who are not embarking
on experimental research themselves, the volume will help them understand
and critically evaluate studies that use the covered methods. In short,
Experimental Methods in Language Acquisition Research does an excellent job
of bringing together interesting and informative reviews of current
experimental methods under one cover.”
Toby Mintz, University of Southern California

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