ERROR GRAVITY - A CRITICAL-REVIEW OF RESEARCH DESIGN

This paper examines error gravity research design and its theoretical assumptions. Based on an analysis of 28 error gravity investigations ( 1977-1995), we study several aspects of error gravity research design (including, e.g., the authenticity of language sample), and theoretica l constructs (such as the definition of ''error''). The study demonstr ates that investigators have only skimmed the surface of the process o f error evaluation, which is undoubtedly shaped by extralinguistic fac tors. We conclude that researchers should reconceptualize error gravit y research and should reassess earlier studies to confirm or disaffirm their stated outcomes.