ELF Research Methods and Approaches to Data and Analyses: Theoretical and Methodological Underpinnings

This book explores and discusses English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) research methods, including corpus-based, conversation analytic, and narrative approaches, with case studies in academic and workplace settings. It covers theoretical underpinnings and recent developments and is comprehensive for ELF researchers, educators, and students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) research, presenting a systematic exploration and analysis of the diverse methods frequently employed by ELF researchers in their data analysis. Spanning three distinct approaches, corpus-based, both written and spoken, conversation analytic, and narrative, the volume offers a thorough examination of these methodologies. Moreover, it incorporates case studies that showcase their practical application in analyzing data within academic and workplace contexts, enhancing the understanding of research processes and their findings. In the first part, the book delves into the theoretical foundations of ELF research, tracing its evolution and highlighting recent developments. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of ELF research, making it an invaluable resource for both ELF researchers and educators, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students embarking on their ELF and ELF-related studies. Additionally, this book serves as an excellent introduction for those new to the field of ELF research.

Introduction:
English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) has emerged as a significant language in global communication, transcending national boundaries and facilitating interactions among people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. As a result, there has been a growing interest in ELF research, aimed at understanding the linguistic, social, and educational aspects of ELF use. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers seeking to explore and understand the complexities of ELF research methods.

Chapter 1: Corpus-Based Approaches:
In the first chapter, the book delves into corpus-based approaches, which involve the analysis of large collections of written and spoken language data. Corpus-based methods provide a wealth of information about language usage, patterns, and trends, allowing researchers to gain insights into the linguistic characteristics of ELF and its role in communication. The chapter discusses the advantages and limitations of corpus-based methods, as well as the various tools and techniques used in data collection and analysis.

Chapter 2: Conversation Analytic Approaches:
The second chapter explores conversation analytic approaches, which focus on the analysis of spoken interactions between participants. Conversation analytic methods provide a detailed understanding of the social and cultural aspects of ELF use, as they examine the discourse structures, turn-taking patterns, and social functions of language. The chapter discusses the methods used in conversation analysis, such as audio recording, transcription, and coding, and the analysis techniques employed to identify patterns and themes in the data.

Chapter 3: Narrative Approaches:
The third chapter examines narrative approaches, which focus on the analysis of personal stories and experiences related to ELF use. Narrative approaches allow researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the individual perspectives and experiences of ELF users, and how they negotiate language and culture in their daily lives. The chapter discusses the methods used in narrative analysis, such as interviews, questionnaires, and visual methods, and the analysis techniques employed to identify patterns and themes in the data.

Chapter 4: Case Studies:
In the fourth chapter, the book showcases case studies that utilize the three approaches discussed earlier. These case studies provide practical examples of how ELF research methods can be applied in real-world situations, and how they can contribute to our understanding of ELF and its impact on language learning and communication. The chapter discusses the design and implementation of case studies, as well as the analysis techniques employed to extract meaningful insights from the data.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) research methods. It offers a valuable resource for scholars and researchers seeking to understand the complexities of ELF research, and how different approaches can be employed to analyze data and gain insights into the language and culture of ELF users. The book is particularly useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students embarking on their ELF and ELF-related research, as well as those new to the field of ELF research.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367503086