PARADIGM OF LANGUAGE RESEARCH RELATED DISCIPLINE: pertain to areas that influence language study the

educatrans, psychology, Sociology, anthropology, and others. A language

Nature of Language-Research Language research just like other
research acquisition may consider pedagogy (education), Students
researches in other discipline is a complex process-Undertaking this
motivation (psychology), the role of language in society (sociology) or the
type of research requires consideration of many factors such as:
origin of the development of language (anthropology).
→language use, type of users acquisition, process, setting, research
methodology and related research. FRAMEWORK OF LANGUAGE RESEARCH According to Seliger and Shohamy
(1984), research on language must be defined by four parameters:
• LANGUAGE USE- determines primarily whether the language is first,
approaches. objectives. research design and data collection/Analysis. The
second, or foreign to the speaker. Research on the acquisition of either
first two are Conceptualized in the planning stage; the last two are
one of these three uses of language will greatly vary from one another
actualized of the operational stage.
within each case. There are many sub-functions of language. For
instance, a second language may be regarded as a medium of personal PARAMETER 1: Approaches
enhancement, social prestige. professional growth, or political or
Approaches refer to how one views the language research to be
economic alliance. Each function can be a rich source of research. •
Conducted. It may be viewed in general or specific perspective
TYPE OF USERS: Takes into account the age and characteristics of the
• General view considers language as whole in order to get a clearer
learners. These are closely tied up with the language acquisition
picture of the relationship of the parts. For instance, the researcher is
process. It is a common belief that the young learners acquire language
interested in finding out the general difficulties of Chinese, students in
faster than the adult. However, a strongly motivated learner can acquire
learning the English language or an aspect of the language, like its
language also fast.
phonology. A specific perspective considers one small part of the language
LANGUAGE SETTING: Identifies the environment within which language with a view fitting it into a coherent view of the whole problems In the
is acquire A native speaker acquires it in natural environment at home, study of the difficulties of Chinese students in learning the phonology of
with family members, with playmates. A second or foreign language English, the researcher may want to target only the vowel system, or the
learner acquires it in the classroom under the supervision of a teacher. consonant system of English.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY- is determined by researchers" philosophy, PARAMETER 2: Objectives

motivation for conducting the research and conditions under which
objectives are Concerned with the purpose of the research. It may aim to
research is conducted. If a teacher believes that attitude very much
discover a certain language phenomenon and postulate a theory about it
influences acquisition of in foreign language and want to find out of it
afterwards or it may test an already existing theory, proving or disproving it
affect his/her students learning of the language (motivations required in
later. the former hypothesis-generating; and the latter is hypothesis-
their curriculum) Conditions. He/she might want to conduct a study in
testing.
the student attitude towards the foreign language and its effect on their
learning of the language. A study like this will use tools such as survey PARAMETER 3 Research Design
questioner or interview.
Research design establishes the method used in conducting the study. It
deals with the handling of factors such as scope variables form, and writer’s
Example of descriptive study is the oral proficiency of college students in CONCEPTUALIZATION OF RESEARCH
certain university correlated between grade in English and grades in
academic subjects. among high school students, comparison of difficulties in A. TOPIC SELECTION
learning English among learners in the Philippines. Example of experimental 1. IDENTIFYING RESEARCH TOPIC - A research topic focuses the study to a
study are the effectiveness of multi-intelligence method in touching defined, measurable size. It provides, structure for the steps in the scientific
freshmen English on college, validation of an instruction material for English method and is discussed in many ways. by identifying the research question,
teaching online, Comparison of English proficiencies regular and online the research problem and the purpose of the research.
students.
Four main sources of topics:
III. REVIEWING RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES •
A.) THEORY- an organized body of concepts, generalizations, and principles
(a) Reasons for the review- Reviewing related literature and studies are that can be subjected to investigation. It provides Conceptually rich topic &
necessary for two primary reasons: confirmation of some aspects of the theory.
b.) PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
1. To broaden the researcher’s perspective of the research problem c.) REPLICATION
d.) LIBRARY IMMERSION
2. To help her give focus on the problem onto workable research questions.

(b) Sources of Related Literature and studies: 2. NARROWING TOPICS ENCOUNTERED IN BROAD TOPICS
Enlarging the scope of the review of literature beyond reason.
1. Libraries are the primary provider of information for the review; however, Complicating the organization of the review of literature itself, and Creating
many libraries are inadequate in providing the materials in the student's studies that are too general, too difficult to carry out and too difficult to
need. Institution which pays importance to research must equip their interpret. To help narrow the topics, it's right to seek help and talk to expert
libraries substantial and updated materials. Otherwise, this will deter instead in the field like professors in college, or department, on researchers known or
to read Secondary sources that provide overviews of the topics such as
of support of research.
handbooks, and reviews of literature. There is a difference between
2. Online-Today much information is provided by internet which has boosted narrowing quantitative and qualitative studies. Quantitative Studies tend to
research. the researcher must be judicious in selecting materials because not narrow initially while qualitative studies tend to narrow throughout the
research process itself.
all information posted online is reliable.

3. Professional organizations - Some valuable materials on their Specific 3. MAKING A FORMAL STATEMENT OF QUALITATIVE AQUANTITATIVE
disciplines are kept by professional organizations. Attending their STUDIES
Quantitative research topic identifies the variables of interest and the
conferences will provide access to these materials.
nature of the participants and describes the specific relationship between the
4. Foreign embassies- Some researches specially in social sciences, will find variables. Qualitative research topic emerges over the course of the Study. It
valuable materials in embassies. A letter requesting to these materials begins as an initial statement that tends to be stated as a general issues or
endorse by the student's adviser and dean can help facilitates research in concern and becomes focus as more as learned about the context,
these libraries. participants and phenomenon of interest. It is typically stated late in a written
4. FORMULATING RESEARCHABLE AND NON-RESEARCHABLE TOPICS
The following are the general guidelines followed in formulating the
Researchable topics can be investigated through collection and statement of the problem:
analysis of data. They have theoretical/practical significance and have
been conducted ethically. They contribute to the educational • Begin with a broad Statement expressing the general concern of the
processes and can be adequately research given the expertise, study
resources and time Constraints of the researcher. Non-researchable . • Ask a series of three or more questions related to the general
topics address philosophical or ethical issues they cannot be resolve problem.
• Arrange questions in logical order. Avoid yes-no questions.
through the collection and analysis of data. they address "should
questions. Ultimately, these are matters of opinion. E. ASSUMPTIONS OF THE STUDY- Some extraneous studies are beyond
the control of the researcher He/she can only assume that his/her study
PARTS OF RESEARCH REPORT was conducted under required Conditions. For example, he/she has to
assume that the questionnaires were answered honestly and that the
CHAPTER I: Defines the problem and its setting and is subdivided by
records by certain resources are true and accurate.
the following subheadings:
F. HYPOTHESES- these are statements drawn regarding the outcome of
A. INTRODUCTION-provides general information about the topic the study before the conclusion is reached.
chosen, its role or importance in society and discusses the reason why
the researcher became interested in the study. Example of the study G. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY- The researcher must justify his/her
pertains to "Social and Cultural implications of the name calling in the choice of the problem by showing its practical importance especially to
the intended readers of the study; what benefit for example will the
Philippines." It must include the background of the name calling
society derived from name-calling of Filipinos
practices of Filipinos, where, when, and how they originated and why
was the writer interested in the phenomenon. H. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION / LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY -States what
the study covers and fix its boundaries. Limitations specifies certain
B. SETTING OF THE STUDY- specifically gives information regarding the constraints with the study which are essential but which the researcher
location of the study which may be include the country, the province, has no control of.
the city or the institution where the study was conducted.
C. THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK – It presents the I. DEFINITION OF TERMS - It is necessary to clarify terms used in the
theoretical basis of the study which may be an established learning study by defining them Contextually / operationally. It may also include
principle / theory. Conceptual framework shows the process followed newly invented on coined words, technical terms with special meaning
in the conduct of the research. The following guidelines help in making the definition of terms
• Arrange words in alphabetical order.
D. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM- It is usually stated in one broad • Underline words followed by a period.
statement followed by specific questions that relate to the problem. • State definition in a complete sentence.
Answers to the questions when put together provide answers to the • Document the sources of the definitions in the end notes.
general problem. CHAPTER 2: Contains the Review of Related Literature and Studies
which is divided into the following sub-sections:
A. LOCAL LITERATURE - includes books, magazines, newspapers, journals,
and articles written by local authors /researchers.
B. FOREIGN LITERATURE - This includes the same type in local literature
but written by foreign writers.
C. LOCAL STUDIES- studies that refers to graduate/ undergraduate Studies
/ dissertations those written by local authors.
D. FOREIGN STUDIES- these are the same with local studies except that
they were done by foreign researchers.
CHAPTER 3- Explain the methods and procedure which include the
following.

A. METHOD OF RESEARCH - This specifies the research methodology of

the study, explain how the methods will be wed and how it will be applied
in the studies. Most language researchers use descriptive, experimental,
or correlational method. • Descriptive - description of language
proficiency of a particular group.
• Experimental-testing the effectiveness of a teaching strategy
• Correlational- Showing the relationship of academic grades in English
with board examinees
B. SUBJECTS OF THE STUDY -refers to person, about whom the research
is conducted. In some cases, the subjects are at the same time, the
respondents.

C. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE- This is important when the total population is

big and the researcher decides to use only a representative group for
practical reason.

The common types of Sampling technique:

• Random Sampling- using odd numbers in the list of students in choosing
respondents.
• Purposive sampling- Setting specific criteria such as grades, age,
nationality for selecting respondents
•Stratified sampling- Getting a proportional number to represent specific
groups like year level, regional classification

D. PROCEDURE OF GATHERING DATA - This explains the sources of data. If

different instruments were used in collecting data, the study should
describe how they were utilized.
. A study using general approach aimed at generating hypothesis may I-SELECTING AND FOCUSING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
deal with a broad scope, few variables, less attention to form and an
(a) Sources of a research problem A research topic may be derived from
objective point of view. In contrast, if the study's approach is specific,
these sources:
aimed at testing hypothesis, it will deal with a limited scope, more
variables, more attention to form and subjective point of view. 1. Researchers experience and interest - a research problem may come
from researcher's personal experience with the study of language which
PARAMETER 3 Research Design
he/she finds interesting
Research design establishes the method used in conducting the study. It
2.Other language research most studies recommend a list of other
deals with the handling of factors such as scope variables form, and
research topics from this list, a researcher may get ideas on interesting
writer’s point of view. These, effect, are influenced by approaches and
topics to work on.
objectives. A study using general approach aimed at generating
hypothesis may deal with a broad scope, few variables, less attention to 3. Researches on allied disciplines- language studies are closely link with
form and an objective point of view. In contrast, if the study's approach other disciplines. Reading researches in phycology, education, sociology,
is specific, aimed at testing hypothesis, it will deal with a limited scope, anthropology can provide the researcher a rich source of topics from
more variables, more attention to form and subjective point of view. which problem may be chosen.

PARAMETER 4 Data Collection and Analysis Data is language research (b)Focusing a research problem-After selecting a general tape the next
may constitute observed behaviors, such as language performance, task is to consider how to narrow down the tope into something that can
written or oral; information provided by subjects of the study, such as be done within the limits of the researcher's environment such as time,
attitude, beliefs, perceptions; rewards of language proficiency from tests, resources. researcher's expertise and other conditions under which the
class ratings etc. A study on the language learning styles of college study would be conducted. At this point, the researcher has to decide
students will comprise mainly of the observed different language whether to work on general or specific
strategies they employ in an English class. After identifying the data
(c) Formulating the general and specific questions- Having decided to
needed to pursue the study, the researcher proceeds to identifying the
work on specific aspect of a topic, the researcher now has to translate
methods of Collecting and analyzing.
this choice into general and specific questions which will constitute the
these data. the tools commonly used in gathering language dada research
are tape, observation, attitude questionnaire, and metalinguistic test
II-DECIDING ON THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Tape and observation are used for behavior documentation, attitude
questionnaire for identifying beliefs and perceptions, and metalinguistic Choosing the appropriate methodology and procedure-Decisions
test for language proficiency. on appropriate method of research to be use depend on the research
approach and objectives used in studies. there are many methodologies
3 PREPARATORY STAGES OF RESEARCH:
use in language research but the common ones are descriptive and
I. Selecting and focusing a research problem
II. Deciding on the research design and objectives experimental.
III. Reviewing Related Literature and studies