tailieunhanh - Báo cáo " Language program evaluation: Quantitative or qualitative approach? "

As in many other disciplines, research methodology in language program evaluation is classified into different paradigms by different scholars. No matter what classification each researcher follows, research in language program evaluation can be conducted according to two general approaches: positivistic/quantitative and naturalistic/qualitative. This article will attempt to review these two major paradigms by (i) giving the definition of each paradigm and presenting its logic of justification; (ii) outlining the major research methods employed in each paradigm; and (iv) critically evaluating each paradigm. . | Tạp chí Khoa học ĐHQGHN Ngoại ngữ 24 2008 1-6 Language program evaluation Quantitative or qualitative approach Tran Thi Thanh Van Department of English - American Language and Culture College of Foreign Languages Vietnam National University Hanoi Pham Van Dong Street Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam Nhận ngày 22 tháng 7 năm 2008 Tóm tắt. As in many other disciplines research methodology in language program evaluation is classified into different paradigms by different scholars. No matter what classification each researcher follows research in language program evaluation can be conducted according to two general approaches positivistic quantitative and naturalistic qualitative. This article will attempt to review these two major paradigms by i giving the definition of each paradigm and presenting its logic of justification ii outlining the major research methods employed in each paradigm and iv critically evaluating each paradigm. The article will argue that program evaluators should appropriately combine the two approaches to maximize the effectiveness of their evaluation. 1. Introduction To precisely measure the outcome of a language program is the purpose that any program evaluators want to achieve in the evaluation process. However evaluators have to rely on either quantitative or qualitative approach which has its own strengths and weaknesses. The researchers accordingly need to appropriately apply the two approaches to minimize their limitations in order to bring about the accurate evaluative resutls. 2. Positivistic approach This paradigm stems from natural sciences in which researchers attempt to find ĐT 84-4-7852898 E-mail vantrancfl@ reality by doing experiments. It has been greatly favoured by applied linguists as well as language program evaluators. . Definition There are a large number of definitions of positivistic research either general or descriptive but it seems that defining the paradigm is not an easy task. Of all the definitions the following