The effects of deliberate learning with digital flashcards on the implicit knowledge of visual and aural word forms: A lexical decision task study

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13311
• Research Institution: Osaka Jogakuin College
• Principal Investigator: Kramer Brandon 大阪女学院大学, 国際・英語学部, 准教授 (50780483)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: vocabulary / implicit knowledge / lexical decision task

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

This study aims to elucidate the effects of studying vocabulary with flash cards on the knowledge gains of those same words. In particular I am looking at the ability of students to learn both the written and spoken form of words they study. I will do this by having students learn pseudowords under the guidance of the lead investigator, and then testing these students on those words using both traditional tests of explicit knowledge (for example, writing the Japanese meaning of English words) and psychological tests of implicit knowledge which measure the time it takes for students to respond to questions. The test of implicit knowledge, in particular, requires that students use specialized equipment in the presence of the lead investigator.

Due to the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic, I was unable to collect any data as planned, as it would have risked the health of helpers, volunteer participants, and investigator by meeting in person. I was, however, able to continue working on the project from a different perspective by analyzing pre-existing data. These results will directly inform the current study by explaining how knowledge of written and spoken vocabulary forms differs among Japanese students. After consulting with other researchers I have begun a manuscript which I hope to publish in the next year.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

My stated plans for the 2020-2021 research period were to begin collecting data when it was safe enough to do so. Unfortunately the COVID-19 situation has persisted, and I have been unable to meet with student participants face-to-face for the past year. I have therefore not made any progress in this regard.

I have, however, begun working on a manuscript based on earlier piloting which should help to inform the current study. I plan to submit this manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal within this research period.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

With COVID-19 vaccines scheduled for release within this research period, I am hopeful that I will be able to begin data collection in earnest from September of 2021. This would allow for data analysis and the presentation of results in 2022, as originally planned.

It order to collect the data more quickly, I am considering working with other researchers who would be able to assist with creating a large enough sample of student participants to show the hypothesized results.

Causes of Carryover

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been unable to meet with students and collect data as planned.

As soon as it is safe to do so, I will begin collecting data and I plan to put this money back into the project by funding further data collection. This data collection will primarily come from my institution, but I am also looking into the possibility of working with a collaborator in order to ensure quick data collection and a large sample size.