Type of the Research Target Community Setting

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CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD

A. Type of the Research

The aim of this study is to improve the students’ writing ability through cooperative learning strategy among grade VII students at SMPN 2 Playen. This research is categorized as an action research which is collaborative in nature. It was conducted collaboratively among the researcher, the principal, the English teacher, and the students. It focuses on improving the real condition of the English teaching learning process to reach the improvement of the students’ writing skill. Carr and Kemmis 1986 in Burns 2010 state that action research is a self-reflective study conducted by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which these practices are carried out. In line with the previous statement, Carmen in Burns 2010 argues that the purpose of action research is to solve a particular teaching-learning problem that has been identified in teaching learning process. The problems are identified by the teacher by relating the theories to the real fact. In addition, according to Nunan 1992 in McKay 2008, action research has three major characteristics. First, it is carried out by practitioners. Second, it is collaborative and is aimed at changing things. There are some models of action research. In this research, the researcher used a model that is proposed by Kemmis and McTaggart 1988 in Burns 2010. Figure 3: Action research cycle Burns, 2010: 9

B. Target Community Setting

This research was conducted at SMPN 2 Playen. It is located in Gading 2 Playen, Gunung Kidul. Dealing with facilities, the school provides sufficient facilities to support the teaching learning process including a library, a computer laboratory and a new building for language laboratory. For supporting teaching learning process in the class, each classroom is facilitated with an LCD and many teaching learning supporting posters on the wall.

C. The Subject of the Research