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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. 141–160

Chapter 7
Direct observation of writing activity

Screen capture technologies

| University of Ottawa
| Carleton University

Emerging technologies and the rise of internet-mediated writing spaces have contributed to the appearance of new forms of digital practices that have transformed writing and its development. These technologies also present important methodological opportunities for researchers interested in the study of writing processes and writing development. This chapter offers a critical overview of one such opportunity: the use of screen capture technologies (SCT) as a means of documenting and engaging in direct real-time observation of language learners’ digitally mediated writing activities. After a brief description of SCT, this chapter reviews the research questions explored and insights gleaned about writing processes and writing development with SCT. It then addresses the methodological challenges and potential solutions associated with the integration of SCT data within research projects in terms of research design, data collection, data analysis and reporting, and ethical considerations. The chapter concludes by suggesting some potential future avenues for writing process research enabled by the use of SCT.

Article outline
  • Introducing screen capture technologies
  • Research questions SCT has helped investigate
    • Exploring pedagogic applications of SCT
    • Exploring writing in action
    • Examining the visuospatial dimensions of writing
    • Exploring online resources
  • Methodological challenges and potential solutions in using SCT for writing process research
    • Research design: Pre-established vs. emergent focus
    • Research design: Controlled vs. naturally occurring writing tasks
    • Data collection: Controlled vs. naturally occurring digital writing environments
    • Developing a framework for data analysis
    • Choosing a unit of analysis and criteria for data segmentation
    • Using software for the transcription and analysis of SCT data
    • Triangulating and integrating data
    • Data reporting and presentation
    • Ethical issues
  • Avenues for future writing process research
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 23 October 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.5.07ser
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