Replication research in instructed second language acquisition

Abstract

Replication is a research methodology designed to verify, consolidate, and advance knowledge and understanding within empirical fields of study. By repeating a study’s methodology (with or without change), a replication aims to better understand the nature and generalizability of a previous study’s findings. This chapter introduces readers to the replication research process, beginning with a description of what replication research is, what the most common types of replication research are, and why carrying out replication is important. Close attention is paid to the types of research questions that replication studies are designed to investigate. This is followed by an overview of replication in the field of ISLA, with links to studies and resources. In addition, specific guidelines are provided for carrying out and reporting replication studies. Recommendations for future replications in ISLA are suggested as well as ways in which researchers can integrate replication into future programs of research.

Statistical Insignificance is not wholesale transfer in L3 Acquisition: an approximate replication of Rothman (2011)

“…The present study was an approximate replication of Rothman (2011). An approximate replication refers to no more than two variables being changed from the original study (McManus, 2022;Porte & McManus, 2018). Although the variables are not changed directly, the tasks used to measure them were both changed in the present study, as the original materials are no longer available.…”

The future of replication in applied linguistics: Toward a standard for replication studies

“…This is one reason why calls for replication are becoming more common (Nerenz, 2016;Plonsky, 2012;Plucker & Makel, 2021;Zwaan et al, 2018). Applied linguists have responded to this state of affairs by discussing and promoting replication studies in several ways, including books and reviews of the field (e.g., Porte, 2012;Yamashita & Neiriz, 2024), journal special issues (e.g., Atkinson, 2012;McManus, 2024;Tschichold, 2023), designated strands in journals for replication studies (e.g., Language Teaching, Studies in Second Language Acquisition), conference symposia and workshops (e.g., American Association for Applied Linguistics, 2009Linguistics, , 2020International Symposium on Bilingualism, 2023;Symposium on Second Language Writing, 2010), and research funding earmarked for replication studies (e.g., Institute of Educational Sciences). Replication efforts like these are also in lockstep with significant and growing interest in Open Science initiatives that aim to make scholarship more open, inclusive, and transparent (e.g., Open Science badges, study preregistration, preprints, postprints; see Liu, 2023;Marsden, 2019;Plonsky, 2024).…”