An Integrated Model of Teaching Theory and Action Research in POA-based Textbook Writing

Teaching theories provide important guidance for language teaching materials development, but there is little research on how textbook writers apply teaching theories in the actual writing process. This study analyzes the process of compiling iEnglish, a series of textbooks based on the Production-Oriented Approach (POA) and proposes an Integrated Model of Teaching Theory and Action Research for textbook writing. By elaborating the roles of teaching theory and action research at different stages of textbook writing and the interaction between theory and practice during the process, the study concludes that the Integrated Model can promote both textbook improvement and theory refinement.

Consortial Benchmarking

Case study research has its virtues in theory refinement and theory building. At the same time, this research method is criticized for low validity, poor generalizability and theory-induced bias that may reduce managerial relevance. Consortial benchmarking, where practitioners and researchers jointly benchmark “best practice” firms on a particular research question, is a new form of multi-case research that maximizes rigor, innovativeness and relevance as well as allowing researchers to take a systemic viewpoint when building theories in management. This chapter describes the concept and the application of consortial benchmarking. Consortial benchmarking contributes to unearth phenomena buried under traditional theories; it enhances existing approaches and contributes to building innovative theories. Due to the method’s multi-case nature results are sufficiently generalizable. Since the consortiums comprise academics and practitioners, researcher bias is minimized and relevance and validity are maximized.