Advancing Language Research Through Q Methodology - (Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching) (Paperback)

About the Book

This volume investigates the ways in which Q methodology contributes to language education and language policy research, demonstrating how this research approach can be used to explore topics including identity, motivation, cognition, emotion, pre-service and in-service teacher beliefs and to evaluate language programs, curricula and policies.

Book Synopsis

This volume investigates the ways in which Q methodology can uncover and foreground new perspectives and contribute to language education and language policy research. It demonstrates the flexibility of this research methodology in addressing dynamic and complex language issues across a variety of educational topics and geographical contexts. The chapter authors use Q methodology to explore topics such as identity, motivation, cognition, emotion, pre-service and in-service teacher beliefs and to evaluate language programmes, curricula and policies. These contributions highlight Q methodology's potential to inform theoretical developments by revealing fresh perspectives on contemporary issues and generating new hypotheses. They foster further Q methodology research, demonstrating how it can contribute to a science of subjectivity and allow researchers to value the perspectives of all stakeholders for more inclusive research. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in language education and language policy research and those in the broader field of social sciences looking to expand their knowledge of the methodology and how it can be used to study contemporary, dynamic and complex issues.

Review Quotes

...a ground-breaking work in using Q in language and education research [...] Topics such as, but not
limited to, students' beliefs, anxiety, and language use could all be studied using Q. Moreover, this book could also be useful for Q methodologists or researchers in fields other than language and education, as it provides the format and structure of how to publish Q research in journals, including how to interpret factors in the results section and how much detail should be given in the methodology section in publications [...] it is indeed a milestone in language and education research.

-- "Zichen Guan and Lawrence Jun Zhang, The University of Auckland, New Zealand, System 125, 2024"

This inspiring, well-edited collection pulls off a hat-trick in language studies: authors marshal multifaceted scholarship, engage with the practical import of studying some of the pervasive complexities in language learning and teaching, and accurately convey the subtleties, richness and potential of Q methodology for researchers seeking deeper insights in their fields.

-- "Amanda Wolf, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand"

At last, a collection of top-tier chapters showcasing the influential role of Q methodology in deepening our understanding of language learning, teaching, and policy. Spanning diverse global contexts, this book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, whether junior or senior, aiming to enhance their qualitative approaches.-- "Åsta Haukås, University of Bergen, Norway"

The authors have illuminated and revitalized the entire field of language acquisition by demonstrating the role that subjectivity plays and by presenting sophisticated evidence through applications of Q methodology, enabling others to follow their well-marked trail. Their holistic approach to these complex issues will command attention and stimulate future research.-- "Steven R. Brown, Kent State University, USA"

About the Author

Nicola Fraschini is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne Asia Institute, Australia, where he teaches Korean language. His research interests include foreign language learner and teacher emotions, motivation and Q methodology. His research has been published in journals such as the Modern Language Journal and Annual Review of Applied Linguistics.

Adrian Lundberg is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of School Development and Leadership at Malmö University, Sweden. His research focuses on investigating stakeholders' subjective viewpoints about educational issues at the crossroads of multilingualism, equity and policy. His Q methodology research has been published in Learning and Instruction, Educational Research Review and Current Issues in Language Planning.

Renata Aliani is a researcher within the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research interests focus primarily on Italian, bilingual education, teacher training and leadership. She has been the convener of the Melbourne-based online Q Research Group since its inception in 2016.