Seminar I Myths about research syntheses in applied linguistics
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Date
30 Oct 2025
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Organiser
Department of English and Communication
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Time
17:00 - 18:00
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Venue
HHBUG10, PolyU Hung Hom Bay Campus / Online via Zoom / Online via Zoom
Speaker
Professor Sin-Wang Chong
Summary
Research syntheses, such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses, are becoming increasingly popular in applied linguistics. They are often seen as the most reliable way to make sense of research findings, but many of the assumptions surrounding them are misconstrued. This talk explores five common myths and what they mean for researchers and users of evidence such as practitioners: 1. Research syntheses are “low-effort” research; 2. There is always a need for new research syntheses; 3. I can always trust a research synthesis because it is objective and methodologically rigorous; 4. Research ethics does not apply to research syntheses; 5. Research syntheses are useful to researchers only. Using examples from applied linguistics, I highlight how these myths shape the way research syntheses are carried out and understood, and offer practical tips for conducting and using research syntheses more critically, ethically, and responsibly.
Keynote Speaker
Professor Sin-Wang Chong
International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews, United Kingdom
Professor Sin-Wang Chong is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK. Sin-Wang is Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews. At St Andrews, he founded the Centre of International, Language and Teacher Education Research (CILTER) and is the Inaugural Director. In a visiting capacity, Sin-Wang is a full professor at King's College London and the Education University of Hong Kong. Previously, he was an associate professor in language education at the University of Edinburgh. Sin-Wang's research programme focuses on ways evidence from education research can be synthesised and communicated to be useful to teachers, leaders and policymakers. Sin-Wang has over 70 publications in leading journals in higher education and language education. He has been involved in research projects worth over £3 million. Additionally, he leads a £2 million research contract with the Department for Education of the UK Government. He is an editor of three international journals and a top 2% researcher in Education in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
