Investigating CALL researchers’ strategies to conduct genuine CALL research: a community of practice perspective

Research in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has turned into a critical way of addressing the interrelationships between L2 pedagogy and technology. This autobiographical narrative inquiry aimed to investigate CALL researchers' strategies to conduct genuine CALL research (Colpaert, 2020 Colpaert, J. (2020). Editorial position paper: how virtual is your research? Computer Assisted Language Learning, 33(7), 653–664. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1824059[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). To that end, the autobiographical narratives of 24 CALL researchers were collected and analyzed using a deductive-inductive thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the researchers addressed the research needs of the CALL community of practice by focusing on contexts and conditions, CALL research streams, future directions, and creating academic knowledge. Moreover, the researchers addressed their CALL research identification through addressing local, global, and real-world audiences for authentic communication topics. Furthermore, to show their competence in their CALL studies, they attempted to review CALL literature comprehensively, cite papers from experienced CALL researchers, use comprehensive research designs, and publish/present CALL research in academic journals/conferences. Additionally, the findings showed that they tried to build relatedness in their studies by citing academic articles and books, using methodologies implemented by experienced CALL researchers, and having research collaboration locally and globally. Finally, CALL researchers attempted to become autonomous in selecting research methods, academic writing styles, and addressing CALL materials and applications in CALL research to show their autonomy in their CALL research. Therefore, it can be concluded that the role of the CALL community of practice is rather critical in leading the types and qualities of the strategies used by CALL researchers.