Teacher Discussion Forums

Sorting through the research on ESL, in terms of statistical data and metanalyses, is difficult for me. I have trouble making sense of the charts/graphs, especially when analyses can vary so widely, revealing such wide and different results based on any number of varying factors. I suppose researchers are making some progress combing through the data and putting the pieces together, but all researchers say that it is nearly impossible to do this without still more research. It’s necessary that we do this, to study the issues/policies/programs/effects empirically, but still I can’t help but wonder if we are doing this with one hand tied around our back, and misinterpreting data can be so easy. It’s a major trap and conundrum - and one that I find difficult to understand.