A methodological synthesis of self-paced reading in second language research

Content Provider	Scilit
Author	Marsden, Emma Thompson, Sophie Plonsky, Luke
Copyright Year	2018
Description	Self-paced reading tests (SPRs) are being increasingly adopted by second language (L2) researchers. Using SPR with L2 populations presents specific challenges, and its use is still evolving in L2 research (as well as in first language research, in many respects). Although the topic of several narrative overviews (Keating & Jegerski, 2015; Roberts, 2016), we do not have a comprehensive picture of its usage in L2 research. Building on the growing body of systematic reviews of research practices in applied linguistics (e.g., Liu & Brown, 2015; Plonsky, 2013), we report a methodological synthesis of the rationales, study contexts, and methodological decision making in L2 SPR research. Our comprehensive search yielded 74 SPRs used in L2 research. Each instrument was coded along 121 parameters, including: reported rationales and study characteristics, indicating the scope and nature of L2 SPR research agendas; design and analysis features and reporting practices, determining instrument validity and reliability; and materials transparency, affecting reproducibility and systematicity of agendas. Our findings indicate an urgent need to standardize the use and reporting of this technique, requiring empirical investigation to inform methodological decision making. We also identify several areas (e.g., study design, sample demographics, instrument construction, data analysis, and transparency) where SPR research could be improved to enrich our understanding of L2 processing, reading, and learning.
Related Links	https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/FF82222435193D24368CC34A99980EAF/S0142716418000036a.pdf/div-class-title-a-methodological-synthesis-of-self-paced-reading-in-second-language-research-div.pdf
Ending Page	904
Page Count	44
Starting Page	861
ISSN	01427164
e-ISSN	14691817
DOI	10.1017/s0142716418000036
Journal	Applied Psycholinguistics
Issue Number	5
Volume Number	39
Language	English
Publisher	Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publisher Date	2018-09-01
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Applied Psycholinguistics Language Studies Foreign Language Learning Moving Window Open Science Research Design Research Methodology Second Language Learning paced Reading Systematic Review
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Linguistics and Language