Meta-analysis Of Corpus-based Approaches In Phonology: Trends, Tools, And Theoretical Implications

Abstract

This meta-analytic review synthesizes findings from 15 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024, focusing on corpus-based methodologies in phonological research. The analysis reveals a growing trend in applying spoken corpora, tools such as Praat and WebMAUS, and learner speech datasets to investigate segmental and suprasegmental features. Studies included in the meta-analysis employed diverse pedagogical frameworks, particularly Corpus-Based Language Pedagogy (CBLP), to improve pronunciation instruction in EFL/ESL contexts. The findings suggest that corpus tools significantly enhance pronunciation accuracy, phonetic awareness, and learner autonomy. Moreover, the integration of spoken corpora into instruction has theoretical implications for phonological models that emphasize usage-based, data-driven insights. This review highlights methodological patterns, evaluates pedagogical and theoretical contributions, and identifies future directions for research in corpus-informed phonological instruction.