Research Method RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the systematic steps in conducting the analysis, particularly the research methodology. This section mainly covers the discussion about the type of research, the type of data, the research procedure, including the technique of data gathering and the data analysis which aim to answer two major research questions proposed in the first chapter.

3.1 Research Method

This study focused on the discussion of meanings and functions of slang among a particular social group at the Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. In addition, this research aimed to analyze and describe the meanings and functions of slang factually and precisely. The writer used a qualitative research as an approach while conducting this study. In this research, the writer was getting involved in studying and analyzing the meanings and functions of slang based on the observable context. Since this research was descriptive in nature, it was considered as a qualitative-type research. Rossman and Rallis 2003 define a qualitative research as being empirical, natural, and focusing on people. Qualitative researchers seek answers to their questions in the real world by gathering what they see and hear from people, places, events and activities. There was another explanation of qualitative research as mentioned by Denzin 2011: 39 Qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world. It consists of a set of interpretive, material practices that make the world visible. These practices transform the world. They turn the world into a series of representations, including field notes, interviews, conversations, photographs, recordings, and memos to the self…qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of, or to interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them p. 3. Conducting research in order to analyze the meanings and functions of slang in a certain community is more interpretative. It would be focused more on the elaboration or description of a social phenomenon. It was in accordance with the view of Merriam 2009, who mentions that “qualitative researchers are interested in understanding the meanings that people have constructed, that is related to the way people make sense of their world and the experiences they have in the world” p. 13. It meant, using a qualitative research allowed the writer to interpret, give meaning and represent the findings from the natural setting. Moreover, it gave the researcher a chance to observe a certain social phenomenon. In addition, by using the qualitative approach the writer could interpret the meanings and analyze the functions of slang in the Freedom Writers movie. In this study, the writer analyzed the slang in words and phrases in the conversations. The setting was at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, America. The major subjects in this study were students, teachers and people around them. Slang expressions were obtained through conversation during events and activities. Therefore, this study of slang expressions would be particularly on analyzing the data in a way to explain meanings that was formed through word 40 formation processes. In addition, it aimed to analyze the communicative functions of slang in Freedom Writers movie

3.2 Research Subjects