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Research Methodology on Language Development from a Complex Systems Perspective
Author(s) -
FREEMAN DIANE LARSEN,
CAMERON LYNNE
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the modern language journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.486
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1540-4781
pISSN - 0026-7902
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2008.00714.x
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , causality (physics) , complex system , computer science , context (archaeology) , systems theory , adaptation (eye) , complex adaptive system , set (abstract data type) , cognitive science , focus (optics) , epistemology , management science , psychology , artificial intelligence , paleontology , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , optics , economics , biology , programming language
Changes to research methodology motivated by the adoption of a complexity theory perspective on language development are considered. The dynamic, nonlinear, and open nature of complex systems, together with their tendency toward self‐organization and interaction across levels and timescales, requires changes in traditional views of the functions and roles of theory, hypothesis, data, and analysis. Traditional views of causality are shifted to focus on co‐adaptation and emergence. Context is not seen as a backdrop, but rather as a complex system itself, connected to other complex systems, and variability in system behavior takes on increased importance. A set of general methodological principles is offered, and an overview of specific methods is given, with particular attention to validity in simulation modeling.