Database introduction to academics

1. Databases, Article
Analysis Session and
Project Preparation
Guidelines

2. Exploring Databases in
ELT and Applied
Linguistics

3. 1. Key Databases for Research
1. Web of Science (WOS): Multidisciplinary database indexing high-quality
journals, often used for impact factor and citation analysis.
2. Scopus: Large database covering peer-reviewed journals, books, and
conference proceedings, with strong citation tracking features.
3. ERIC (Education Resources Information Center): Specialized in
education, offering journal articles, reports, and other resources relevant to
ELT.
4. ProQuest and Yök Tez: Broad access to theses, dissertations, and
journals in education and the social sciences.
5. Google Scholar: Freely accessible search engine for scholarly articles,
books, and conference papers (note: not always peer-reviewed).

4. 2. Activity: Searching for Articles
• Step 1: In groups, select one topic (e.g., AI in ELT or peer feedback in
writing).
Step 2: Search in one or more of the databases above.
Step 3: Find one article that interests your group.
Step 4: Write down the title, author(s), year, and source.
Step 5: Share your article with the class and explain briefly why you
selected it.

5. 3. Follow-up Task: Article Template Extraction
• Instructions:
• Read the chosen article carefully.
• On a separate sheet of paper, list the main sections/headings as they
appear in the article (e.g., Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review,
Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion).
• Note any sub-sections (e.g., participants, instruments, data analysis
under Methodology).
• Compare with other groups: Do the structures look similar or different?
• Outcome:

6. Article Structure
Empirical Research Article (Quantitative / Qualitative):
• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction (background, research gap, research questions)
• Literature Review
• Methodology (participants, instruments, procedures, analysis)
• Results / Findings
• Discussion
• Conclusion & Implications

7. Article Structure
• Literature Review Article:
• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction (focus of the review, rationale)
• Scope and Criteria for Inclusion/Exclusion
• Thematic / Chronological Organization of Literature
• Synthesis of Findings
• Gaps and Future Directions
• Conclusion

8. Research Methods
in ELT Studies

9. 1. Quantitative Research
• Purpose: To measure variables, test hypotheses, and generalize findings.
• Designs:
• Experimental (control & treatment groups, pre-/post-tests)
• Quasi-experimental (no random assignment, but still structured)
• Survey research (questionnaires, large samples)
• Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics, inferential tests (t-tests, ANOVA,
regression).
• Strengths: Objectivity, replicability, large-scale patterns.
• Limitations: May overlook individual perspectives and classroom complexity.

10. 2. Qualitative Research
• Purpose: To explore experiences, meanings, and processes in depth.
• Designs:
• Case study (in-depth focus on one class, teacher, or learner group)
• Ethnography (long-term observation in natural contexts)
• Action research (teachers researching their own practice)
• Narrative inquiry (stories of learners/teachers)
• Data Collection: Interviews, observations, reflection papers, open-ended
tasks.
• Data Analysis: Coding, categorization, theme building.
• Strengths: Rich detail, participant voice, contextualized findings.
• Limitations: Smaller samples, less generalizable.

11. 3. Mixed Methods
• Purpose: To combine strengths of quantitative and qualitative
approaches.
• Designs:
• Sequential explanatory (quant → qual)
• Sequential exploratory (qual → quant)
• Concurrent triangulation (both at once for comparison)
• Strengths: More comprehensive understanding, multiple perspectives.
• Limitations: Time-consuming, requires strong methodological
expertise.

12. Quant = numbers, patterns, testing
Qual = words, meanings, exploring
Mixed = integrating both

13. 4. Final Task:
Method
Analysis and
Sharing
• Instructions:
• Go back to the article your group selected.
• Focus on the Methodology / Research Design
section.
• Identify and take notes on the following:
• Research type: Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed
• Participants: Who? How many?
• Instruments / Data Collection Tools: e.g.,
questionnaires, interviews, observations
• Procedures: How was the study conducted?
• Data Analysis: Statistics, coding, content
analysis, etc.
• On a sheet of paper, summarize the methodology in
bullet points.
• Share your summary with the class in 2–3 minutes.

14. Exit Ticket: Reflection and Takeaways
• One thing I learned today: (What is new or most useful for me?)
• One thing I found challenging: (What was difficult or unclear?)
• My next step: (How will I use what I learned in my
research/project?)
• (Optional) Suggest one improvement for this session.

15. Any question? 