Factor Analysis and Statistical Modeling in Applied Linguistics: Current Issues and Possibilities

• In Event: 18.058 - MTCC Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: 18.058-6 - Understanding Language Use and Language Learning in Second Language Acquisition Classrooms

Abstract

Present study examined practices associated with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques (EFA, CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) applications in current second language acquisition (SLA) research instrument development/validation and causal modeling/theory building contexts. We open with a conceptual description of the approaches, including their main purposes, strengths, assumptions, and limitations generated from methodological papers and earlier methodological syntheses. We then examine EFA, CFA, and SEM application practices across three prominent SLA journals (Derrick, 2016) over the course of the last decade. The search yielded 46 articles (51 studies; 161 models), which we analyze for content and researcher judgments regarding analytical and reporting practices affecting results and interpretations. Recommendations for future uses of the approaches are discussed.

Authors

• Yuliya Ardasheva, Washington State University - Tri-Cities

• Kira Joy Carbonneau, Washington State University - Pullman

• Xue (Snowy) Zhang