Research Methods in AL

We are pleased to present Issue 2 (Vol. 1) of Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rsal20/current In this issue, you will find an editorial about a new initiative of a living databased led by our bibliography editors Dongxia Nie and Qi Liu. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29984475.2025.2573811 There are a range of research review articles, including a meta-systematic review of secondary research in Applied Linguistics by Hessameddin Ghanbar et al. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29984475.2025.2546836 Another systematic reviews on: Research on the use of shadowing for L2 pronunciation teaching by Benen Whitworth & Heath Rose; Writing development among primary speakers by Shawna-Kaye Tucker et al. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29984475.2025.2546827 A scoping reviews on: Location-based games for language learning by Donald Richardson & Blair Matthews; a qualitative synthesis of research into the use of exemplars in EAP to develop student feedback literacy by Kerry Curtis et al.; Landscape of EFL teachers’ professional development in China by Virginia Parker, SFHEA & Agnes Tang; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29984475.2025.2527650 A qualitative synthesis of practitioner research of English language learner autonomy in HE in Japan by Thomas Stringer (MA, FHEA) & Eoin Jordan https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29984475.2025.2495271 There are also three research protocols. We hope you enjoy the issue!

📚 PREET Center presents: 🔴  Workshop on Writing, Refining, and Getting Your Work Published in Applied Linguistics 🔹 Instructor: Prof. Mohammad N. Karimi 🔹 Duration: Six weeks (six sessions) 🔹 Schedule: Wednesdays: 16:30-18:30 🔹 The workshops will be held on the Adobe Connect platform and will have the support. 📣  Registration has started. (Limited capacity) ▪️ For more information and registration: Telegram: @preetadmin WhatsApp & SMS: +989359289774 ▪️For each participant in the workshop, a digital certificate signed by Dr. Minoo Alemi, Dr. Zia Tajeddin, and Dr. Mohammad N. Karimi will be issued. ▪️Join our Telegram Channel: @preetcenter

https://journals.sagepub.com/overview-metric/IJQ?

Special Collection: Enhancing Meta-Inference in Mixed Methods Research: How Does the Qualitative Approach Help Us? Here is the link to the Special Collection that Dr. Mohammad Amini Farsani and I are guest editing for the International Journal of Qualitative Methods This Special Collection aims to fill this critical gap by focusing specifically on the role of qualitative approaches in shaping and enhancing meta-inferences in MMR. We welcome contributions that explore how qualitative research design, data collection, sampling structures, analytic rigor, and trustworthiness criteria inform the construction of robust meta-inferences. https://journals.sagepub.com/topic/collections-ijq/002121/ijq Journal Highlights Impact Factor: 6.2 Ranked 5/110 in Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary – SSCI Indexed In: Clarivate Analytics: Social Science Citation Index, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Scopus Launched In: 2002

Enhancing Meta-Inference in Mixed Methods Research: How Does the Qualitative Approach Help Us? Here is the link to the special issue that Dr. Mohammad Amini Farsani and I are guest editing for the International Journal of Qualitative Methods (JCR, IF = 6.2). This Special Collection aims to fill this critical gap by focusing specifically on the role of qualitative approaches in shaping and enhancing meta-inferences in MMR. We welcome contributions that explore how qualitative research design, data collection, sampling structures, analytic rigor, and trustworthiness criteria inform the construction of robust meta-inferences. https://journals.sagepub.com/topic/collections-ijq/002121/ijq

The purpose of establishing Configural Invariance (Baseline) is to confirm that the basic structure of a measurement instrument—such as a multi-item psychological scale—is the same across different groups (e.g., gender, culture, age) or across different time points. It is the least stringent and first step in the hierarchical process of testing for measurement invariance (or factorial invariance) in SEM, typically using a technique called Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA).

🧭What is the goal of Configural Invariance in structural equation modeling of a questionnaire?

I have always been asked about the differences between these two approaches to scale validation...here is a short reflection on them

1. Axes = Factors before rotation The blue horizontal axis is Unrotated Factor I. The blue vertical axis is Unrotated Factor II. Each turquoise dot (v₁–v₅) is a variable with loadings on Factor I and Factor II (its x- and y-coordinates). At this stage the factors are at 90° to each other and come directly from the initial solution (e.g., principal components). 2. Orthogonal rotation (black solid arrows) The solid black arrows are the orthogonally rotated factors. “Orthogonal” means the two factors are still at 90° to each other after rotation. We “spin” the factor axes (both together) around the origin without changing the 90° angle. Goal: make the pattern of loadings cleaner (e.g., v₁–v₂ load mainly on Factor II, v₃–v₅ mainly on Factor I), while keeping factors uncorrelated. In the figure, “Orthogonal Rotation: Factor I/II” labels these new axes. 3. Oblique rotation (black dotted arrows) The dotted black arrows are the obliquely rotated factors. “Oblique” means the angle between the factors is no longer 90°; the factors are allowed to correlate. We rotate each factor separately to better line up with clusters of variables, even if that makes the factors non-perpendicular. Goal: achieve an even simpler, more realistic structure at the cost of allowing correlated factors. In the picture, “Oblique Rotation: Factor I/II” refers to these dotted axes. In the main: Orthogonal Rotation (e.g., Varimax) Rotates the factor axes but keeps them at 90°. This simplifies the loading pattern (variables load strongly on one factor and weakly on others) while keeping factors uncorrelated. Use when you assume the underlying constructs are independent. Oblique Rotation (e.g., Promax, Oblimin) Rotates the axes and allows them to tilt toward each other, so factors can correlate. This often produces a cleaner, more realistic structure when the underlying constructs are expected to be related (which is common in social and behavioral research).

What happened during factor rotation in EFA? Here we can see it in terms of the type of rotation.