How Syntactically Complex is L2 Academic Research Writing by Filipino Researchers across Disciplines?

Abstract

Syntactic complexity has received much attention in English for academic purposes (EAP) research. However, it remains an ignored area of EAP research in the Philippines. This study cross-examined syntactic complexity in research articles (RAs) authored by Filipino researchers (FRs) in Communication, Curriculum and Instruction, and Psychology. Major findings revealed that attributive adjectives, nominal prepositional phrases, and noun premodifiers most dominantly co-occurred across disciplinary RAs. A significant difference exists between the three nominal pre- and postmodifiers and other compressed and implicit and elaborated and explicit syntactic features. As such, Filipino-authored disciplinary RAs are characterized by a compressed and implicit discourse style. Therefore, L2 academic research writing by FRs regardless of the disciplines is syntactically complex with the use of the three compressed and implicit phrasal features. It is likewise filled with very dense packaging of information by the three nominal phrases. The study has practical implications for academic research writing instruction, academic research journals, and professional development training.