ARE REPLICATION STUDIES INFREQUENT BECAUSE OF NEGATIVE ATTITUDES? INSIGHTS FROM A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES IN SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH

• Published in: Studies in second language acquisition Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 1410 - 1423
• Main Author: McManus, Kevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Cambridge University Press 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Attitudes; Careers; Innovation; Language acquisition; Language Research; Linguistics; Negative Attitudes; Polls & surveys; Replication (Evaluation); Research Methodology; Researchers; Science education; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Social networks; Surveys; Tenure
• ISSN: 0272-2631; 1470-1545
• DOI: 10.1017/S0272263121000838

Replication is a research methodology designed to verify, consolidate, and generalize knowledge and understanding within empirical fields of study. In second language studies, however, reviews share widespread concern about the infrequency of replication. A common but speculative explanation for this situation is that replication studies are not valued because they lack originality and/or innovation. To better understand and respond to the infrequency of replication in our field, 354 researchers were surveyed about their attitudes toward replication and their practices conducting replication studies. Responses included worldwide participation from researchers with and without replication experience. Overall, replications were evaluated as relevant and valuable to the field. Claims that replication studies lack originality/innovation were not supported. However, dissemination issues were identified: half of published replication studies lacked explicit labeling and one quarter of completed replications were unpublished. Explicit labeling of replication studies and training in research methodology and dissemination can address this situation.