Latent Growth Curve Modeling: An Emerging CDST-compatible Method in Response to the Generalizability Concern about CDST-Inspired Research
With the establishment of Complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) in the field of second language question (SLA), some innovative research methods for the exploration and examination of second language development across time have been developed. However, most of these methods have been mainly limited to the idiographic domain and have addressed the WHAT in the exploration of the developmental processes of language development. Thus, they have been criticized for their lack of consistency with the nomothetic principles with an emphasis of the falsifiability of hypotheses and generalizations from samples to populations. One innovative CDST compatible method which can build a compromise between the idiographic and nomothetic principles of research, and provide a response to some points of criticism on CDST-oriented research, is latent growth curve modeling (LGCM). In our contribution to the current symposium, we argue how LGCM can enable us to both explore the intra- and inter-individual process of SLD across time and at the same time examine the falsifiability of research hypotheses and the generalizability of the SLD. Also, we discuss the implications of the application of LGCM for the future of CDST realm of research on SLD.
Keywords: CDST, generalizability, hypothesis falsifiability, latent growth curve modeling, SLD
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Majid Elahi Shirvan is currently an associate professor of TEFL at University of Bojnord. His main research interest is CDST-inspired research on the psychology of second language learning and teaching. He has published in several leading journals in the field of SLA such as Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, System, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, and Teaching in Higher Education.
Tahereh Taherian is currently a visiting scholar at the faculty of arts, University of Groningen. Her main research interest is CDST-inspired research on the psychology of second language learning and teaching. She has published in several high-ranking journals in the field of applied linguistics such as Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, and International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism.
