I am working on a research project on emotions in SLA, using the control-value theory as a research framework. When i am measuring emotions like anxiety and enjoyment, am i limited to the scales developed specifically for that theory? Or i can use domain-specific scales? like the FLCAS? I would appreciate your input on this!
Yes, In my opinion you should be limited to the control-value theory, and if you feel that this frame-work is not sufficient or require additional framework to integrate the current research, then best thing is to reflect....technically one frame work should be adopted for one study...second might create extra burden during analysis...and you may end with a lose study.
I am not familiar with the control-value theory of emotions and its scales. My sense is that if you can prove methodologically that by combining two frameworks you get better, consistent results, there is no harm in adopting scales from other theories on condition that they are adaptable to the main framework. There is something in research called "combined framework", which includes two or more theories.
Validity should be considered in the very earliest stages of your research, when you decide how you will collect your data. Ensure that your method and measurement technique are high quality and targeted to measure exactly what you want to know. They should be thoroughly researched and based on existing knowledge.
In my mind, a quite straightforward answer would be this: The choice of your scale(s), whether they have originally been developed in Psychology, SLA or any other field of Educational Sciences, depends on the theory you are examining. If your theory is about emotions in general, you should use scales that measure emotions in general (e.g., from Psychology). If your theory is about emotions that are specific to L2 learning (e.g., FLA), you ought to use an FLA scale (e.g., from SLA). Where these scales come from originally is secondary. Their choice really depends on what are examining, or, in other words, your research question(s).
Even when similar terminology is used to name scales (e.g., anxiety), they almost always represent different constructs and, therefore, cannot simply be substituted for each other. In other words, it would probably not be reasonable to use FLCAS with the scales for other emotions in control-value theory.
Hasan Abu-Krooz Andreas Wirag Martin Willis Thank you for the helpful answers :)
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