2.2. Literature review

How to write a literature review

Frederiksen, L., & Phelps, S. F. (2020). Literature reviews for education and nursing graduate students. Rebus Community. Read online PDF

Examples of literature reviews in SLA and education

• Restrepo Ramos, F. D. (2015). Incidental vocabulary learning in second language acquisition: A literature review. Profile, 17(1), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n1.43957 PDF
• Zhao, Y. (2003). Recent developments in technology and language learning: A literature review and meta-analysis. CALICO Journal, 21(1), 7–27. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v21i1.7-27
• Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Project-based learning: A review of the literature. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733 PDF
• Barrot, J. S. (2021). Social media as a language learning environment: A systematic review of the literature (2008-2019). Computer Assisted Language Learning, in press. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1883673
• Ellis, R. (2005). Instructed second language acquisition: A literature review [Report to the Ministry of Education]. Research Division, Ministry of Education. PDF
• Engh, D. (2013). Why use music in English language learning? A survey of the literature. English Language Teaching, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n2p113
• Mitchell, A., & Savill-Smith, C. (2004). The use of computer and video games for learning: A review of the literature. Learning and Skills Development Agency. PDF

Research synthesis vs. literature review

Li, S., & Wang, H. (2018). Traditional literature review and research synthesis. In A. Phakiti, P. De Costa, L. Plonsky, & S. Starfield (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology (pp. 123–144). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59900-1_6 PDF

Examples of research syntheses

• Ortega, L. (2003). Syntactic complexity measures and their relationship to L2 proficiency: A research synthesis of college‐level L2 writing. Applied Linguistics, 24(4), 492–518. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/24.4.492
• Chong, S. W., & Reinders, H. (2020). Technology-mediated task-based language teaching: A qualitative research synthesis. Language Learning & Technology, 24(3), 70–86. https://doi.org/10125/44739
• Bibauw, S., François, T., & Desmet, P. (2019). Discussing with a computer to practice a foreign language: Research synthesis and conceptual framework of dialogue-based CALL. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 32(8), 827–877. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2018.1535508 PDF
• Sauro, S. (2011). SCMC for SLA: A research synthesis. CALICO Journal, 28(2), 369–391. https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.28.2.369-391
• Chen, T. (2016). Technology-supported peer feedback in ESL/EFL writing classes: A research synthesis. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 29(2), 365–397. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2014.960942
• Vandewaetere, M., Desmet, P., & Clarebout, G. (2011). The contribution of learner characteristics in the development of computer-based adaptive learning environments. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(1), 118–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.07.038

Examples of meta-analyses (research synthesis + statistical aggregation)

• Norris, J. M., & Ortega, L. (2000). Effectiveness of L2 instruction: A research synthesis and quantitative meta-analysis. Language Learning, 50(3), 417–528. https://doi.org/10.1111/0023-8333.00136
• Ziegler, N. (2013). Synchronous computer-mediated communication and interaction: A research synthesis and meta-analysis [PhD dissertation, Georgetown University]. PDF
• Saito, K., & Plonsky, L. (2019). Effects of second language pronunciation teaching revisited: A proposed measurement framework and meta-analysis. Language Learning, 69(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12345 PDF
• Teimouri, Y., Goetze, J., & Plonsky, L. (2019). Second language anxiety and achievement: A meta-analysis. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 41(2), 363–387. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263118000311
• Bibauw, S., Van den Noortgate, W., François, T., & Desmet, P. (2022). Dialogue systems for language learning: A meta-analysis. Language Learning & Technology, 26(1), to be published. PDF