Workshops on Research Methods (NACCL-38)

Meta-research, including meta-analyses and (methodological) systematic reviews, have been a popular approach to summarize and synthesize the literature in second language acquisition research. However, the review process is very resource-intensive and prone to human errors. With the advance of AI, tools are available for researchers to facilitate the process. In this workshop, I will offer step-by-step guidance on how to incorporate an AI tool into the study screening. I will cover the essential steps, including the preparation of the data set, the import of the data set, the labeling of the study as relevant or irrelevant (for inclusion or not), as well as the saving of the results for the researcher's record and sharing for transparency in the spirit of open science. In addition, I will address essential factors to consider in the AI-aided screening process, such as stopping rules. An overall goal is to contribute to advancing and promoting meta-research in SLA by facilitating the screening process in the era of AI.  

Bio: Bronson Hui is Assistant Professor of Second Language Acquisition at University of Maryland. He earned his doctorate from Michigan State University. He currently teaches and carries out research in areas such as instructed second language acquisition focusing on vocabulary learning and multimodal input, as well as quantitative research methods. His work has appeared in journals, such as Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Language Learning, The Modern Language Journal, among other venues. He also serves as associate editor for Digital Studies in Language and Literature and on the a number of editorial boards, including Studies in Second Language Acquisition (2024-2026), TESOL Quarterly (2023-2025), and Language Learning & Technology (2025-2027).