This volume investigates the methodological challenges and practical techniques required to elicit high-quality data in the field of second and foreign language research. Authors Alison Mackey and Susan M. Gass, both established scholars in applied linguistics, provide a comprehensive framework for researchers to align their data collection methods with specific theoretical questions. The text bridges the gap between abstract research design and the concrete realities of gathering linguistic evidence from learners in diverse settings.

Experts and graduate students frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for designing empirical studies in applied linguistics. Readers often note the clarity of the procedural explanations, which makes complex research methodologies accessible for those planning their own investigations.