17 3 Get children to match sound and written word. We can help students with whole
word recognition by using printed material as much as we can in our classroom, e.g. word cards used for labeling and directions. Of course, the new words are learnt in
context. 4 Repeat constantly to teach pronunciation. We could drill some words or phrases in
order to get student’s good pronunciation. 5 Let children have fun while learning to read. Since they have short attention span,
teacher should vary their techniques to break the boredom. They should give varied activities as handwriting, games, songs etc Slattery and Willis 2001: 75.
2.7 Action Research
The study I conducted was an action research. Action research is the most familiar research used in educational world today.
2.7.1 Definitions of Action Research
Many practitioners in education have conducted action research for years. Action research itself has some definitions. Action research utilizes a series of methodologies
and approaches. Although action research is generally identified with qualitative approaches, it can incorporate both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Practitioners stated here refer to teachers. So action research is also called “teacher-research”. Therefore, Cochron-Smith and Lytle in Johnson defined teacher-
research as systematic and intentional inquiry carried out by teacher 1993: 215
18 From the definitions above, it can be concluded that action research is a systematic
and intentional research conducted in a classroom with the purpose of improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning process.
2.7.2 Characteristics of Action Research
Unlike other researchers, action research has special characteristics which are different from others. Priyono in Subyantoro 2007: 9-10 gives six characteristics of action
research as follow: 1 On-the job problem-oriented. It means the subject of the study is the real problem
that becomes teacher’s main responsibility at school; 2 Problem-solving oriented. The goal of action research is to sole problems in
classroom; 3 Improvement oriented. All school components such as teachers, headmaster, and
students, must change and improve better for the sake of the school itself; 4 Multiple data collection. Action research utilizes several methods of data collecting,
like observation, test, interview, questionnaire, etc; 5 Cyclic. Action research consists of four cycles: planning, observing, acting, and
reflecting; 6 Participatory collaborative. The researcher cooperates with other practitioners to
enhance the validity of the research Priyono in Subyantoro 2007: 9-10.
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2.7.3 The Cycle of Action Research
