Clear-cut Research Questions and Appropriate Research Methods Are a Must in Foreign Language Teacher Research: A Critical Review of the Related Literature between 2004 and 2013 in China
Abstract： In order to have a better understanding of the status quo of the research on foreign language teachers in China, this paper attempts to examine the research questions and methodological research design by reviewing the related articles published in nine CSSCI journals between 2004 and 2013. It is found that although mixed methods, multiple strategies and techniques were used in the studies, yet the existing problems, such as unclear and unfocused research questions, opaque and incomprehensive portrayal of the research design procedure, and inaccurate interpretation of qualitative data, have thus weakened the general qualities of the studies. Therefore, this paper suggests that great efforts should be made to gradually and effectively strengthen and enhance the related researchers’ capacities by innovating school research curricula and running more practical workshops on research methods.
2014, Vol. 0 
