Forming a Discipline: Applied Linguists' Literacy in Research Methodology and Statistics

This article reports the results of a survey of 121 professionals in applied linguistics about their knowledge of and attitudes toward statistics and empirical research. Respondents were asked to rate their knowledge of statistical concepts and procedures, to react to statements about the role of statistics and the importance of quantitative methods, and to respond to research situations where statistics are often used. The survey results indicate a range of knowledge of the concepts and procedures associated with empirical research. Respondents also showed differing attitudes about the usefulness of statistics and techniques in research methodology and the need to be informed about such procedures. The results of this study are useful as a gauge of literacy in research methodology and statistics in our field and as evidence that a need for such literacy exists.