4.3.2 Results
The results show that metatexts are associated with four communicative function codes and 17 content codes(see Table 4).The analysis also reveals that thesis writers in the New Zealand Applied Linguistics community hold different views on the purpose of reviewing literature.Among the purposes mentioned by thesis writers,Providing rationales(16/30),Establishing a theoretical framework(11/30),and Familiarising readers with the field(4/30),are the most frequently mentioned by thesis writers.Other functions,such as justifying methodology and operationalising constructs,only appeared in one or two theses and thus were not included in the model.The first three communicative functions are described in detail,with examples from the corpus.
Table 4 Communicative function codes and content codes
As might be expected,the same content can be used to achieve different functions.For instance,theories were reviewed for the purpose of giving readers a general understanding of the field as well as for establishing the theoretical framework.
4.3.2.1 Communicative Function 1:Familiarising Readers with the Field
Familiarising readers with the field describes the function of familiarising readers with the research area of a study.The contents employed to fulfil this function include introducing the main theories,constructs and relevant studies in the field.The following extract is an overview of the first section of a Literature Review chapter.As noted above,the words or phrases related to communicative functions are underlined while the words associated with content are shown in bold.The writer stated that he/she would describe the background of the research field for the purpose of giving readers a general understanding of the area.
In the first section,some background of second language acquisition will be provided to give a general understanding of the field.(Nguyen,2009)
4.3.2.2 Communicative Function 2:Providing Rationales
Providing rationales is the communicative function of justifying the research topic or research questions.Two types of rationales were identified,namely practical and empirical.To provide a practical rationale,writers point out real-world problems or needs in language teaching or language learning,which are then used as the entry point for their study.
The following extract is a summary of a Literature Review chapter.The writer suggested that literature relating to a problem(a“failure”in the author’s own words)was reviewed to serve the communicative function of providing the practical rationale for his/her research.
The literature review has sought to justify the current research project by highlighting the continuing failure of mainstream education institutions in meeting the needs of groups of students who make up cultural and linguistic minorities,with specific reference to Pacific Island and Maori students in New Zealand.(Jeurissen,2005)
To prepare for an empirical study,writers review previous studies,identify gaps or suggest that the findings of previous research are mixed and researchers have not reached a consensus.Seven writers clearly stated that the literature they reviewed contributed to generate research questions,indicating that literature was reviewed to prepare rationales for justifying their own study.
Chapter Two reviews extant literature and research that motivates and generates the research question addressed in this thesis.It also reviews some important findings on the learner and teacher perceptions of classroom events.Gaps in previous research are subsequently identified and the research question is raised for investigation.(Ashcroft,2009)
4.3.2.3 Communicative Function 3:Establishing a Theoretical Framework
Establishing a theoretical framework describes the function of reviewing existing theories or models,defining constructs and presenting the theoretical framework of the study,which is typically developed based on the review of theories,models and definitions in order to describe the key constructs and the relationships among them.The first extract below is a summary of a Literature Review chapter.The writer suggests that the purpose of the chapter is to provide a theoretical framework,which would be used to situate the findings in later chapters.To realise the function,the writer mentioned reviewing models in the field.
In this chapter,I have provided the theoretical foundations for this study.The chapter contains a brief description of some of the dominant models of language maintenance and shift as developed by a number of researchers…Thus,this chapter has provided a framework in which findings of the current research can be presented.(Al-Sahafi,2005)
4.3.2.4 Communicative Function 4:Presenting the Study
The content of Presenting the study includes introducing the aims,rationales and research questions of the writers’own study.As the extract below shows,metatexts related to this function do not contain information on the purpose of presenting rationales,research questions and aims and so the researcher summarises the function as simply Presenting the study.
Finally,the rationale of the present study and the research question are presented.(Jiao,2005)