Activities

A Research Use Argument:an Alternative Paradigm for Empirical Research in Applied Linguistics

Professor Lyle F. Bachman

On November 20, 2008, the LTTC was honored and pleased to receive its second speaker of the November 2008 Applied Linguistics Speech series, Professor Lyle F. Bachman. An internationally noted scholar in the field of applied linguistics (AL) and TESL, Professor Bachman shared with an interested audience of approximately 100 professionals, including teachers, scholars, researchers of language teaching and testing, and students of applied linguistics, his most recent research on an alternative paradigm for empirical research in applied linguistics – Research Use Argument (RUA).

Starting with a preliminary introduction of the differences and similarities between social sciences and physical sciences, as well as the debates about using empirical research in the study of AL, Professor Bachman launched his proposition of utilizing RUA as an alternative paradigm for the traditional empirical research in applied linguistics study, as well as a framework for interaction and communication among AL researchers.

Through illustrative diagrams, the audience was acquainted with the inferential links among phenomena, interpretations, and intended uses. Furthermore, the audience was introduced to the application of the Toulmin argument structure to articulate a research use argument. The one-hour enlightening speech was drawn to an end with a final example of an RUA from language testing research and a review of the points covered.