What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

This chapter serves as a comprehensive guide for conducting systematic reviews (SRs) in applied linguistics. SRs play a crucial role in this field, allowing researchers to analyze and synthesize existing research, facilitating evidence-based decisions and advancements. The chapter provides detailed guidance on conducting an SR, including formulating clear research questions, developing effective search strategies, screening and selecting studies based on predefined criteria, extracting and synthesizing data, appraising the quality of included studies, and reporting findings clearly. A checklist tailored for appraising studies within applied linguistics ensures comprehensive evaluation of quality and relevance. Additionally, the chapter explores using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools to streamline and enhance the SR process, discussing applications, opportunities, and challenges. In summary, this chapter serves as a comprehensive roadmap, equipping researchers with the knowledge and tools to conduct rigorous and innovative SRs in applied linguistics.