The contexts, theoretical and methodological orientation of EAP research: Evidence from empirical articles published in the Journal of English for Academic Purposes

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a review and analysis we conducted on 416 empirical articles (EAs) published in the Journal of English for Academic Purposes (JEAP) over its lifespan (2002–2019). We present the results of the review and analysis across four broad themes, namely, (1) contexts and participants, (2) research foci and theoretical orientations, (3) research methodology and data sources, and (4) pedagogical implications. In addition to presenting the overall results, we also report findings across two periods (2002–2011 and 2012–2019). The typical article in JEAP was written by a single author addressing an instructional issue based on genre theory as related to undergraduates in universities and using combined methods (employing both quantitative and qualitative data and analysis). We present and discuss the findings overall, as well as across the two periods in relation to the four broad themes and their categories. Based on the findings, we make suggestions for future research in JEAP.