Validating metaphoric models in applied linguistics

Metaphoric modeling has, over the last 20 years, become a powerful tool in applied linguistics. Although research quality assessment criteria are starting to be applied to educational research, via meta-analyses and systematic reviews, there are as yet few agreed methodological or reporting criteria in the area of metaphoric models. This article examines a sample of 5 published metaphoric models of literacy or language teaching/learning, to derive a series of methodological suggestions compatible with recent systematic review guidelines. It is argued that a sound methodology for identifying and describing metaphoric models will pave the way for more reliable cross-cultural studies in educational linguistics.