Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses

This study explores emerging trends of student theses in English language teaching master degree programs in Colombia. In this study, we categorized 156 abstracts into their research context, research areas, and research method, adding to the tapestry of ELT novice research worldwide. The results de...

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Main Authors: Angela Bailey, Kathleen A. Corrales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Asociación Mexicana de Maestros de Inglés 2020-11-01
Series:Mextesol Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mextesol.net/journal/public/files/cc1efd094b2205957a7a331b3070c7d7.pdf
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author Angela Bailey
Kathleen A. Corrales
author_facet Angela Bailey
Kathleen A. Corrales
author_sort Angela Bailey
collection DOAJ
description This study explores emerging trends of student theses in English language teaching master degree programs in Colombia. In this study, we categorized 156 abstracts into their research context, research areas, and research method, adding to the tapestry of ELT novice research worldwide. The results demonstrate that the majority of the theses reviewed were practical in scope and smaller-scaled projects, focusing on language skills and subskills, teacher-related aspects such as methodology, beliefs, etc., and curriculum. A small percentage delved into more complex or broader aspects of education inside the language classroom. They also were mainly qualitative, case studies or action research using a variety of data collection techniques that corresponded with the main research design. As a conclusion, an increased balance in research topics and methods is suggested to strengthen novice research and encourage more participation in the worldwide conversation on English language teaching and learning.
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spelling doaj.art-4b69f40681bc4350b6aaa4543ebcffc82022-12-21T19:50:14ZengAsociación Mexicana de Maestros de InglésMextesol Journal2395-99082020-11-0144422025Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s ThesesAngela Bailey0Kathleen A. Corrales1Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia This study explores emerging trends of student theses in English language teaching master degree programs in Colombia. In this study, we categorized 156 abstracts into their research context, research areas, and research method, adding to the tapestry of ELT novice research worldwide. The results demonstrate that the majority of the theses reviewed were practical in scope and smaller-scaled projects, focusing on language skills and subskills, teacher-related aspects such as methodology, beliefs, etc., and curriculum. A small percentage delved into more complex or broader aspects of education inside the language classroom. They also were mainly qualitative, case studies or action research using a variety of data collection techniques that corresponded with the main research design. As a conclusion, an increased balance in research topics and methods is suggested to strengthen novice research and encourage more participation in the worldwide conversation on English language teaching and learning.http://www.mextesol.net/journal/public/files/cc1efd094b2205957a7a331b3070c7d7.pdfthesis reviewsenglish language teaching and learninglanguage teaching researchresearch areasresearch method
spellingShingle Angela Bailey
Kathleen A. Corrales
Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
Mextesol Journal
thesis reviews
english language teaching and learning
language teaching research
research areas
research method
title Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
title_full Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
title_fullStr Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
title_full_unstemmed Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
title_short Insight into Novice Research: A Critical Review of ELT Master’s Theses
title_sort insight into novice research a critical review of elt master s theses
topic thesis reviews
english language teaching and learning
language teaching research
research areas
research method
url http://www.mextesol.net/journal/public/files/cc1efd094b2205957a7a331b3070c7d7.pdf
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