Newly updated and revised, this popular text provides a solid introduction to the foundations of research methods, with the goal of enabling students and professionals in the field of applied linguistics to become not just casual consumers of research who passively read bits and pieces of a research article, but discerning consumers able to effectively use published research for practical purposes in educational settings. All issues important for understanding and using published research for these purposes are covered. Key principles are illustrated with research studies published in refereed journals across a wide spectrum of applied linguistics. Exercises throughout the text encourage readers to engage interactively with what they are reading at the point when the information is fresh in their minds. Changes in the second edition: new examples in chapter two reflecting formatting changes made by ERIC major reordering in chapter four to better represent the sample types reorganization of chapters six and seven to enhance cohesion of the themes being discussed updated references and recommended reading lists in all chapters.