This article reviews basic issues of theory and method in qualitative research approaches to applied linguistics research. As pointed out by Lazaraton (this issue), a great deal of debate, misunderstanding, and confusion currently surrounds the use of qualitative research methods in the applied linguistics field. Much of this controversy appears to center around three interrelated issues: research traditions, definitions of research, and qualitative research theory and methods. In this article I examine these issues with a view toward dispelling some of the confusion and illuminating the ways in which qualitative research can contribute to our understanding of language acquisition and use.
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