Using Judgments in Second Language Acquisition Research

Synthesizing the theory behind and methodology for conducting judgment tests, Using Judgments in Second Language Acquisition Research aims to clarify the issues surrounding this method and to provide best practices in its use. The text is grounded on a balanced and comprehensive background of the usage of judgment data in the past up through its present-day applications. SLA researchers and graduate students will find useful a chapter serving as a "how-to" guide for a variety of situations to conduct research using judgments, including ways to optimize task design and examples from successful studies. Lucid and practical, Using Judgments in Second Language Acquisition Research offers guidance on a method widely used by SLA researchers, both old and new to the field.

Patti Spinner is Associate Professor at Michigan State University. Her work focuses on the acquisition of grammar by second language learners. She has published numerous articles in journals such as Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Language Learning, Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, Applied Linguistics, and more.

Susan M. Gass is University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University. She has published widely in the field of Second Language Acquisition, including the textbook Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course (Routledge), co-authored with Jennifer Behney and Luke Plonsky. She co-edits (with Alison Mackey) the Routledge series on Second Language Acquisition Research.