2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
A coverage-based approach to diagnosing English vocabulary targets for Japanese university students
| Project/Area Number |
18K00866
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| Research Institution | Kanazawa University |
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Principal Investigator |
Brown Dale 金沢大学, 外国語教育系, 准教授 (50781168)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
ステクル ティモシー 新潟県立大学, 国際地域学部, 准教授 (40601711)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
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| Keywords | vocabulary / text coverage / vocabulary testing / vocabulary targets / new JACET8000 wordlist / word-list banding / word frequency / high-frequency words |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The focus this year was development of our serial multiple-choice vocabulary test.
We completed the development of 320 test items (i.e. writing item stems and carefully selecting distractors) and trialled the items with 528 English learners. We then carried out a Rasch analysis of the data to establish the test's reliability, dimensionality and difficulty level. In addition, we carefully examined items featuring loanwords and conducted a distractor analysis.
In order to help establish test validity, we carried out a further study in which learners completed test items and were then interviewed to verify whether their knowledge.
Finally, for the final version of our test, we selected 15 items for each level that performed well in the trial and that reflect the overall distribution of items.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
As explained above, considerable progress have been made in the development of our vocabulary test. We now have a solid basis from which to move forward and implement the final version of the test and investigate the extent to which it allows the successful identification of target vocabulary for different groups of learners.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
A final trial of the vocabulary test will commence as soon as the coronavirus situation allows. We also plan to carry out an investigation of the face validity of the test's identification of target words for learners.
Development of the online profiler tool is advancing as we consult our website developer regarding the exact nature of the tool. Once running, this tool will enable investigations of textbooks and other materials to explore whether the level of materials used by learners matches their vocabulary level as assessed by our vocabulary test.
Finally, since travel funds may not be needed this year, we plan to expand on our original plans for the website by also placing the vocabulary test online. This will allow learners themselves to assess and compare their own vocabulary level (with the test) and the vocabulary level of materials (with the profiler).
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| Causes of Carryover |
There is money remaining from 2019 since two events at which I had been scheduled to present on the project were cancelled (one due to a typhoon, one due to coronavirus). We intend to make use of these funds to expand on our original plans for the website by making it possible for learners to take the vocabulary test online and instantly see their results.
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Research Products
(3 results)
