Research is the formalization of
natural processes we all carry out from birth in dealing with the environment.
We carry out activities that have the same components as academic research. We
carry out these activities because we seek answers to questions about phenomena
that occur in our daily lives. Research questions
can be investigated from different perspectives by using different procedure
such as observation, questioning, experimentation,
and elicitation. Scientific research
is organized, structured, methodical, systematic, and the theories are testable
and falsifiable and it attempts to study the phenomena through careful
description and identification. While common
sense, intuition, and introspection about experience are of limited value unless
used appropriately. Common sense conclusions are reached on the basis of superstition,
superficial responses to problems, and unexamined beliefs.
There
are four types of knowledge found in second language research
Type 1- Knowledge as belief: when we know something on
the basis of belief, it may mean we want to believe something to be true but
have never submitted it to an empirical test.
Type 2- Knowledge as an authority: similar to type
1because it comes from a source which is accepted at face value.
Type 3- A priority knowledge: resemble beliefs. It is
usually founded on some previous systematic empirical work or observation.
Type 4- Empirical knowledge: we arrive at knowing
something through the processes of observation and/or experimentation. Empirical
knowledge is obtained by interacting with real world, observing phenomena, and drawing
conclusions from experience.
There are three different kind of research basic, applied,
and practical that contributes to our understanding and knowledge of second
language phenomena.
