Research Method Research Participants

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CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents detailed information about the research methodology used to answer the research question stated in chapter I. The discussion involves the research method, research participants and setting, research instruments, data gathering techniques, data analysis techniques, and research procedures.

A. Research Method

This study applied the qualitative survey to carry out the analysis. A qualitative approach is described as an approach which is used to gather data systematically, but the data is purely descriptive, and therefore not numerical Sprinthall et al., 1991. Qualitative measures the described events, people in- depth. Qualitative data consist of detailed descriptions of situation, events, people, interactions, and observed behaviors; direct quotations from people about their experience, event, beliefs Patton, 1980. This study belongs to qualitative approach since it gathered purely descriptive data about the students’ perception on the study of literature courses in English Language Teaching. According to Wiersma 1995, surveys are used to measure attitudes, opinions, or achievement, and any number of variables in natural settings. Survey is used to gain the data needed for this research. In survey research, the relationship of sociological and psychological variables are determined and interpreted. 27 According to Singleton and Straits 1999, there are three features of survey research. The first feature is that probability sampling is employed in order to represent the large number of respondents from the whole population. The second is that questionnaires or interviews are used to ask some questions about the current issues to the respondents, and than record the answers. The last is that for quantitative study, the answers are summarized in numerical codes then analyzed by employing statistical software. While for qualitative study, the numerical data is used as an evidence of the conclusion of certain issues. To answer the research question stated in Chapter I, the researcher employs interview and questionnaire. In the discussion, the writer would narrate the subjects’ quotations toward the interview and the rich detailed descriptions about their activities, behaviors and learning activities in which the observations were made.

B. Research Participants

The participants of this research were 67 of the 2005 and 2006 PBI students in August 2009. It was held in PBI area during the break time. The selection of the participants were done purposely. According to Ary et al. 2002, purposive sampling is also referred to judment sampling. It means that the sample is judged to be typical, or representative chosen from the population. The participants were the 2005 and 2006 students as they have learned all of the subjects of literature courses. This research was conducted at English Study Program of Sanata Dharma University, both the interview and observation. 28

C. Research Instruments