The practice of synthesizing quantitative research via meta-analysis hasand will very likely continue to gain momentum in second language acquisition (SLA) just as it has throughout much of the social and medical sciences. This course is designed for graduate students in SLA interested in learning the conceptual motivations and hands-on techniques for (a) conducting research synthesis and meta-analysis and for (b) embracing and practicing a synthetic approach to both primary and secondary research. Throughout the semester, course participants will interact and engage with a variety of readings, both methodologicaland substantive in nature, towards arriving at a conceptual and practical understanding of the synthetic approach. The main assignment for the course will be a synthetic research study. This project may takeone of several forms including a research synthesis, a meta-analysis, a methodological synthesis, or combination of these

Focuses on mixed-effects models that are commonly used in L2 research. Topics covered include data structures in within-participants experiments and longitudinal studies, cross-random effects (by-participant and by-item), random-effects structures (random intercepts and slopes), growth curve models, sample size justifications, and generalized mixed-effects models for binary, count, and ordinal outcomes. Readings and examples will be drawn from SLA research. Proficiency in R is expected.

Discuss how lexical items are learned, taught, and assessed in language classrooms, computer-assisted language learning environments and beyond. Topics covered included various interventions to enhance vocabulary learning, different types of vocabulary measures, and eye-tracking research in vocabulary studies. Students will develop a full research proposal with piloted materials and detailed analysis plans as their final project.