Research Methods in Literacy Studies

Research Methods in Literacy Studies brings together leading researchers to showcase the diverse and evolving methods used to in Literacy Studies, presenting real-life experiences from varied geographical and cultural settings, including Chile, Malawi, Canada, England, Australia, and the USA. This edited collection builds on the field’s core need for imaginative yet authoritative methods for focusing on people’s reading and writing in authentic settings, looking at how people engage in all kinds of texts for all kinds of purposes. Starting with an overview of the methodological roots of Literacy Studies, this book then surveys recent developments in society, education, and technology. It responds to subsequent shifts in how people engage with literacy, outlining new theoretical approaches, such as in relation to posthumanism and the postdigital. Under Gillen and Papen’s editorship, each chapter draws explicitly on the contributors’ recent and current research, explaining their chosen methods and rationale for choosing them. While assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, the authors explore technology-based means to data collection, practitioner research, historical methods, policy research and arts-based approaches. This timely, advanced textbook is designed for postgraduate students and scholars. By providing both theoretical grounding and practical guidance, it is an ideal resource for those undertaking research projects in literacy for applied linguistics or education programmes.