32
C. Research Participants
The researcher relied on focus groups to obtain the data. Ary, et al. 2010 state that focus groups rely on purposive sampling, just like most quantitative
research did. They further explain that a purposive sampling strategy chooses the focus group’s participants according to the project’s goal.
Purposive sampling is very different from the random sampling that is so common in survey samples. Ary, et al. 2010 state that surveys aim to generelaize
the larger populations by collecting numerically precise data, and it requires selecting a random sample to cover the entire range of the larger population.
Meanwhile, the focus groups aim to gain insight and in-depth understanding by hearing from people, and it requires selecting a purposive sample to generate the
most productive discussions in the focus groups. The participants in this research consisted of three elements
–student element, teacher element, and school element. Student element consisted of seven
students that had been classified into three classifications –high, medium, and low.
The classification was based on their academic capability. A twelfth grade teacher suggested the classification. The teacher acted as an advisor for the researcher in
conducting the research. The teacher, later on, would be known as the advisor. Teacher element came from the English teacher who taught twelfth grade. School
element was the vice principal from the curriculum subdivision.
1. First Student
The first student belonged to the high classification. The first impression when the researcher knew her was she was talkative, brave, and warm. She could
33 maintain enjoyable interaction even though with new people. It was no doubt that
she was the head of Scouts organization in her school. Based on the advisor, she was also one of the brightest students in her class.
The first student came from a middle to low family. In her family, she was the first children. She still had little brothers and sisters. Fact as the oldest child
gave her more responsibility in her family. In the morning, she had to help her mother to take care of her little sisters and brothers while her mother was busy in
her family small shop. After school, she had to rush home to help her mother to take care of her little sisters and brothers so that her mother could focus on working in
the small shop. In the evening, she usually went to market to take some goods for sale. She did all her family duty without leaving her duty at school. It is included
when she was in the NE preparation. She readjusted her schedule in order to catch up all the agenda. It appeared that her life was tough. Even though it was tiring for
her, she said that she did not have reason to complain. Instead, it built her to be strong.
2. Second Student
The second student came the high classification. He belonged to the same class with the first student. Based on the advisor, he was also one of the brightest
students in his class. He was a bit shy at the first impression. However, after talking some words, he was actually talkative and warm as well.
He lived in an orphanage and belonged to low-economic family as well. He said that the entire fund he spent for his education came from the foundation of his
orphanage. Besides, he also got scholarship from his school for his academic
34 achievement to subsidize his educational fund. Hence, he worked hard in preparing
NE to get flying score since he dreamed a scholarship to go to a university. Unfortunately, he did not get any scholarship at last and now he worked as waitress.
3. Third Student
The third student was from the medium classification. She was a little bit indifferent at the first impression. It also appeared in her answer that she only
answered in one to two words. The researcher needed to stimulate her with more questions to get information from her. She belonged to the middle to low family.
She said that she wanted to work after graduating from VHS.
4. Fourth Student
The fourth student came from the medium classification. She was a little bit shy and indifferent. However, after throwing some words, she was more talkative
than the third student. She also belonged to the middle to low family. She dreamed to get a job after graduating.
5. Fifth Student
The fifth student belonged to the medium classification. She was talkative and a little bit boyish. Instead, it eased the researcher to interview her since she was
so opened. Besides, she was also independent. She lived alone in Yogyakarta. After graduating from VHS, she dreamed to go to a university.
6. Sixth Student
The sixth student belonged to the low classification. However, she came from a middle to high family. She was the only one among all participants who join
NE preparation course. Besides, she also wanted to go to university. One interesting
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