Resolving the crisis in L2 motivational self-system research : Constructive dialogue and argument-based validation
(2025) In Studies in Second Language Acquisition- Abstract
Al-Hoorie, Hiver, and In'nami (2024) offer compelling arguments for why L2 motivational self-system research is currently in a state of validation crisis. Seeking a constructive resolution to the crisis, in this response we argue that two fundamental conditions are needed for the field to emerge stronger: psychological readiness and methodological maturity. For psychological readiness, we call for a reframing of the "crisis" narrative. We highlight the need to value controversy, to normalize failure and (self-)correction, and to resist the allure of novelty. For methodological maturity, we suggest that an argument-based approach to validation can provide a constructive solution to current controversies. We present an integrated... (More)
Al-Hoorie, Hiver, and In'nami (2024) offer compelling arguments for why L2 motivational self-system research is currently in a state of validation crisis. Seeking a constructive resolution to the crisis, in this response we argue that two fundamental conditions are needed for the field to emerge stronger: psychological readiness and methodological maturity. For psychological readiness, we call for a reframing of the "crisis" narrative. We highlight the need to value controversy, to normalize failure and (self-)correction, and to resist the allure of novelty. For methodological maturity, we suggest that an argument-based approach to validation can provide a constructive solution to current controversies. We present an integrated framework that can guide systematic validation efforts, and we demonstrate its application using a recent validation study as an example.
(Less)
- author
- Liu, Meng and Henry, Alastair LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- argument-based validation, credibility revolution, L2MSS, validation crisis
- in
- Studies in Second Language Acquisition
- publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105014217720
- ISSN
- 0272-2631
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0272263125000166
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 2be881ca-4780-4b37-9008-7544999b2de6
- date added to LUP
- 2025-11-17 12:44:04
- date last changed
- 2025-11-17 12:44:55
@article{2be881ca-4780-4b37-9008-7544999b2de6,
abstract = {{<p>Al-Hoorie, Hiver, and In'nami (2024) offer compelling arguments for why L2 motivational self-system research is currently in a state of validation crisis. Seeking a constructive resolution to the crisis, in this response we argue that two fundamental conditions are needed for the field to emerge stronger: psychological readiness and methodological maturity. For psychological readiness, we call for a reframing of the "crisis" narrative. We highlight the need to value controversy, to normalize failure and (self-)correction, and to resist the allure of novelty. For methodological maturity, we suggest that an argument-based approach to validation can provide a constructive solution to current controversies. We present an integrated framework that can guide systematic validation efforts, and we demonstrate its application using a recent validation study as an example.</p>}},
author = {{Liu, Meng and Henry, Alastair}},
issn = {{0272-2631}},
keywords = {{argument-based validation; credibility revolution; L2MSS; validation crisis}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Cambridge University Press}},
series = {{Studies in Second Language Acquisition}},
title = {{Resolving the crisis in L2 motivational self-system research : Constructive dialogue and argument-based validation}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0272263125000166}},
doi = {{10.1017/S0272263125000166}},
year = {{2025}},
}