31 In this study, the writer employed a qualitative survey. However, the
results of the survey derived from the questionnaires were in form of numerical data. Thus, to make it descriptive, the writer converted the numerical data into
form of statements. In qualitative study, the numerical data were used as evidence in of a certain issue.
B. Research Respondents
As a survey research, this study required a group of ELESP students as respondents. Since the number of the respondents should be limited to make it
accessible, a sampling procedure was implemented. According to Fraenkel and Wallen 1994: 79, sampling refers to the
process of selecting individuals who will participate in a research. The first task to survey was defining the population. Population refers to all members of a
particular group. To make it accessible to research, the population should be narrowed down into small group named sample. Sample is any group of
individuals on whom information is obtained. In this study, the selected population was the students of English Language
Education Study Program of Sanata Dharma University Yogyakarta. The writer selected the sample from the Academic Essay Writing class A and D students
which joined the class in the academic year 20082009. In deciding the sample, the writer employed the purposive sampling that is
a sample selected because the individuals have special qualifications of some sort Fraenkel and Wallen, 1994. Since the focus of this study was the students’
32 perception on the use of Nicenet.org, the writer selected the Academic Essay
Writing class. In addition, there were several courses implementing Nicenet.org as teaching learning media. However, the writer decided to conduct the research in
Academic Essay Writing class A and D. In deciding the class, the writer considered the total students of those two classes handled by the same lecturer.
As stated before, the writer employed two kinds of research instruments: questionnaire and interview and each required respondents as follows:
The total respondents of the questionnaire were fifty seven students coming from the students of Academic Essay Writing class A and D. However,
there was one questionnaire considered as invalid data since the respondent did not complete the closed-ended part of the questionnaire.
The total respondents of the interview were four students and one Academic Essay Writing lecturer. The writer interviewed two students of each
class. In selecting the interviewees, the writer was referring to the respondents’ response in the questionnaire results, especially, question number two which was
about how often they accessed Nicenet.org. The response was represented the students’ experience on accessing Nicenet.org.
The selected interviewees were four respondents consisting of two respondents having more experience – represented by choosing ‘agree’ response –
and two respondents having less experience – represented by choosing ‘disagree response –.
33
C. Research Instruments
To answer the proposed problems, the writer employs two instruments: questionnaire and interview. The further explanation was explained as follows.
1. Questionnaire The writer employed questionnaire to gather the respondents’ response on
the given questions. The data result of questionnaire – in this study - would be used as the main data. According to Ary, Jacobs, and Razavieh 2002: 566,
questionnaire is an instrument in which respondents provide written responses to questions or mark items that indicate their responses.
In this study, the questionnaire applied Likert scale. According to Ary et al. 2002: 224, Likert scale assesses attitudes toward a topic by presenting a set of
statements about the topic. In this study, the questionnaire provided responses one up to four. The number indicated whether they strongly disagree, disagree, agree,
and strongly agree. In this study, scale 1 represented strongly disagree degree. Scale 2 represented disagree degree. Scale 3 represented agree degree. Scale 4
represented strongly agree degree. The various agree-disagree responses are assigned a numeric number and the total scale is found by summing the numeric
numbers. This total score represents the individual’s attitude toward the topic. To provide the answer of two problems, the questionnaire was divided into
two parts. The first was closed-ended. In closed-ended questions part, the respondents were provided several questions and they should answer based on the
provided responses. The writer provided fifteen questions to be responded. The second was open-ended part. In this part, the respondents were free to provide the
34 response to the given questions. To address the second problem formulated
previously, in this part, the respondents had to respond by giving suggestions on the implementation of Nicenet.org.
In order to answer the research problems, the writer provided the questions based on the theories discussed on chapter two. In designing the questionnaire, the
writer followed rigidly the blueprint which was explained as follows:
Table 3.1 The Questionnaire Blue Print
Question Indicators
Form
1 – 3 Students’ experiences in accessing
internet and Nicenet.org closed-ended
4 – 12 Students’ perception on the use of
Nicenet.org in improving students’ writing skills
closed-ended
12 – 15 and
I Students’ suggestions to improve the
use of Nicenet.org as teaching learning media
closed-ended
open-ended
Underlying on the blueprint, the writer divided the questionnaire into three categories of questions. The first part was asking the respondents’ general
experiences in accessing internet and Nicenet.org. Someone’s perception is influenced by many elements. According to Altman et al., past experience is one
of perceptual factors affecting someone’s perception. Therefore, the first three
