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Research Methods in the Study of L2 Writing Processes
Edited by Rosa M. Manchón and Julio Roca de Larios
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 5] 2023
► pp. 123–140

Chapter 6
Verbally mediated data

Written verbalizations

| Miyagi University of Education
| Josai Universty
| University of Melbourne

This chapter focuses on written verbalizations (e.g., written languaging, valid written explanations, diaries, written reflections) and discusses their possible roles as data collection instruments for the study of writing processes. We first describe general procedures for collecting written verbalizations and then critically analyze (a) the type of research questions researchers can ask and answer by using written verbalizations; (b) methodological challenges researchers face and the possible solutions to circumvent those challenges; and (c) how L2 researchers can best elicit written verbalizations in L2 research. We conclude by suggesting four practical tips to researchers who wish to use written verbalizations as a data collection instrument in the study of writing processes.

Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Methodological procedures of written verbalizations
    • General description
    • Written verbalization prompts
    • Language of reporting
  • Research questions that can be answered using written verbalizations
  • Methodological challenges
  • Best practices in using written verbalizations
  • Conclusion
  • References
Published online: 23 October 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.5.06suz
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