Secondary Research in Applied Linguistics: A Meta-Systematic Review of the Last Three Decades

Abstract

This meta-review examines 1,560 secondary research studies in applied linguistics (AL) from 1994 to 2024, analyzing publication trends, methodological diversity, and content coverage. Expanding on Chong and Plonsky’s [2024. “A Typology of Secondary Research in Applied Linguistics.” Applied Linguistics Review 15 (4): 1569–1594] typology, the study identifies 14 types of secondary research and 40 thematic areas, highlighting a surge in publications, with 85% appearing in the last decade. While meta-analyses and systematic literature reviews dominate, emerging methods such as scoping and bibliometric reviews are gaining traction. Despite this growth, inconsistencies in naming conventions persist, and underutilized approaches like qualitative research synthesis and research-into-practice reviews present opportunities for further exploration. The findings underscore the increasing methodological sophistication of AL research synthesis and call for greater methodological diversity, mixed-methods integration, and refined classifications to advance the field.

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