skip to main content
Language:
Search Limited to: Search Limited to: Resource type Show Results with: Show Results with: Search type Index

How Big Is "Big"? Interpreting Effect Sizes in L2 Research

Language learning, 2014-12, Vol.64 (4), p.878-912 [Peer Reviewed Journal]

2014 Language Learning Research Club, University of Michigan ;ISSN: 0023-8333 ;EISSN: 1467-9922 ;DOI: 10.1111/lang.12079 ;CODEN: LNGLA5

Full text available

Citations Cited by
  • Title:
    How Big Is "Big"? Interpreting Effect Sizes in L2 Research
  • Author: Plonsky, Luke ; Oswald, Frederick L.
  • Subjects: effect sizes ; Language acquisition ; meta-analysis ; practical significance ; quantitative research methods ; Second language learning
  • Is Part Of: Language learning, 2014-12, Vol.64 (4), p.878-912
  • Description: The calculation and use of effect sizes—such as d for mean differences and r for correlations—has increased dramatically in second language (L2) research in the last decade. Interpretations of these effects, however, have been rare and, when present, have largely defaulted to Cohen's levels of small (d = .2, r = .1), medium (.5, .3), and large (.8, .5), which were never intended as prescriptions but rather as a general guide. As Cohen himself and many others have argued, effect sizes are best understood when interpreted within a particular discipline or domain. This article seeks to promote more informed and field‐specific interpretations of d and r by presenting a description of L2 effects from 346 primary studies and 91 meta‐analyses (N > 604,000). Results reveal that Cohen's benchmarks generally underestimate the effects obtained in L2 research. Based on our analysis, we propose a field‐specific scale for interpreting effect sizes, and we outline eight key considerations for gauging relative magnitude and practical significance in primary and secondary studies, such as theoretical maturity in the domain, the degree of experimental manipulation, and the presence of publication bias.
  • Publisher: Hoboken: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
  • Language: English
  • Identifier: ISSN: 0023-8333
    EISSN: 1467-9922
    DOI: 10.1111/lang.12079
    CODEN: LNGLA5
  • Source: Alma/SFX Local Collection
Back to results list
INSPIRE LIBRARY - TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY (84-028) 37 755 057 Feedback
19 Nguyen Huu Tho St. Dist.7, HCM thuvien@tdtu.edu.vn

Copyright © 2017 INSPIRE LIBRARY - TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY

Searching Remote Databases, Please Wait