Researching vocabulary : a vocabulary research manual

The book overviews a wide range of vocabulary research methodologies, and offers practical advice on how to carry out valid and reliable research on first and second language vocabulary. It includes a Resources section which outlines the lexical tests, corpora, software, internet sites, and other resources available to vocabulary researchers.

Author Notes

Norbert Schmitt is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Nottingham, UK. He is interested in all aspects of second language vocabulary acquisition, processing, use, and pedagogy. His current research focuses on formulaic language, the interface of vocabulary and reading, vocabulary testing, and implict vs. explicit knowledge of vocabulary.

Quick Checklist	p. xi
General Editors' Preface	p. xiii
Preface	p. xiv
Acknowledgements	p. xvi
Part 1 Overview of Vocabulary Issues
1 Vocabulary Use and Acquisition	p. 3
1.1 Ten key issues	p. 3
1.1.1 Vocabulary is an important component of language use	p. 3
1.1.2 A large vocabulary is required for language use	p. 6
1.1.3 Formulaic language is as important as individual words	p. 8
1.1.4 Corpus analysis is an important research tool	p. 12
1.1.5 Vocabulary knowledge is a rich and complex construct	p. 15
1.1.6 Vocabulary learning is incremental in nature	p. 19
1.1.7 Vocabulary attrition and long-term retention	p. 23
1.1.8 Vocabulary form is important	p. 24
1.1.9 Recognizing the importance of the L1 in vocabulary studies	p. 25
1.1.10 Engagement is a critical factor in vocabulary acquisition	p. 26
1.2 Vocabulary and reading	p. 29
1.3 A sample of prominent knowledge gaps in the field of vocabulary studies	p. 35
Part 2 Foundations of Vocabulary Research
2 Issues of Vocabulary Acquisition and Use	p. 47
2.1 Form-meaning relationships	p. 49
2.1.1 Single orthographic words and multi-word items	p. 49
2.1.2 Formal similarity	p. 50
2.1.3 Synonymy and homonymy	p. 52
2.1.4 Learning new form and meaning versus 'relabelling'	p. 52
2.2 Meaning	p. 52
2.2.1 Imageability and concreteness	p. 53
2.2.2 Literal and idiomatic meaning	p. 53
2.2.3 Multiple meaning senses	p. 54
2.2.4 Content versus function words	p. 54
2.3 Intrinsic difficulty	p. 55
2.4 Network connections (associations)	p. 58
2.5 Frequency	p. 63
2.5.1 The importance of frequency in lexical studies	p. 63
2.5.2 Frequency and other word knowledge aspects	p. 64
2.5.3 L1/L2 frequency	p. 66
2.5.4 Subjective and objective estimates of frequency	p. 67
2.5.5 Frequency levels	p. 68
2.5.6 Obtaining frequency information	p. 70
2.6 L1 influence on vocabulary learning	p. 71
2.7 Describing different types of vocabulary	p. 75
2.8 Receptive and productive mastery	p. 79
2.9 Vocabulary learning strategies/self-regulating behavior	p. 89
2.10 Computer simulations of vocabulary	p. 97
2.11 Psycholinguistic/neurolinguistic research	p. 105
3 Formulaic Language	p. 117
3.1 Identification	p. 120
3.2 Strength of association - hypothesis tests	p. 124
3.3 Strength of association - mutual information	p. 130
3.4 A directional measure of collocation	p. 131
3.5 Formulaic language with open slots	p. 132
3.6 Processing formulaic language	p. 134
3.7 Acquisition of formulaic language	p. 136
3.8 The psycholinguistic reality of corpus-extracted formulaic sequences	p. 141
3.9 Nonnative use of formulaic language	p. 142
Part 3 Researching Vocabulary
4 Issues in Research Methodology	p. 149
4.1 Qualitative research	p. 149
4.2 Participants	p. 150
4.3 The need for multiple measures of vocabulary	p. 152
4.4 The need for longitudinal studies and delayed posttests	p. 155
4.5 Selection of target lexical items	p. 158
4.6 Sample size of lexical items	p. 164
4.7 Interpreting and reporting results	p. 166
5 Measuring Vocabulary	p. 173
5.1 Global measurement issues	p. 173
5.1.1 Issues in writing vocabulary items	p. 174
5.1.2 Determining pre-existing vocabulary knowledge	p. 179
5.1.3 Validity and reliability of lexical measurement	p. 181
5.1.4 Placing cut-points in study	p. 187
5.2 Measuring vocabulary size	p. 187
5.2.1 Units of counting vocabulary	p. 188
5.2.2 Sampling from dictionaries or other references	p. 193
5.2.3 Recognition/receptive vocabulary size measures	p. 196
5.2.4 Recall/productive vocabulary size measures	p. 203
5.3 Measuring the quality (depth) of vocabulary knowledge	p. 216
5.3.1 Developmental approach	p. 217
5.3.2 Dimensions (components) approach	p. 224
5.4 Measuring automaticity/speed of processing	p. 242
5.5 Measuring organization	p. 247
5.6 Measuring attrition and degrees of residual lexical retention	p. 256
6 Example Research Projects	p. 260
Part 4 Resources
7 Vocabulary resources	p. 279
7.1 Instruments	p. 279
7.1.1 Vocabulary levels test	p. 279
7.1.2 Vocabulary size test	p. 293
7.1.3 Meara's_lognostics measurement instruments	p. 306
7.2 Corpora	p. 307
7.2.1 Corpora representing general English (mainly written)	p. 309
7.2.2 Corpora representing spoken English	p. 320
7.2.3 Corpora representing national varieties of English	p. 323
7.2.4 Corpora representing academic/business English	p. 324
7.2.5 Corpora representing young native English	p. 325
7.2.6 Corpora representing learner English	p. 325
7.2.7 Corpora representing languages other than English	p. 326
7.2.7.1 Parallel corpora	p. 326
7.2.7.2 Monolingual corpora	p. 327
7.2.8 Corpus compilations	p. 331
7.2.9 Web-based sources of corpora	p. 333
7.2.10 Bibliographies concerning corpora	p. 335
7.3 Concordancers/tools	p. 335
7.4 Vocabulary lists	p. 345
7.5 Websites	p. 347
7.6 Bibliographies	p. 351
7.7 Important personalities in the field of vocabulary studies	p. 352
Notes	p. 359
References	p. 362
Index	p. 385

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