CHAPTER III METHOD OF THE STUDY
In every study or critical analysis, there is always a research method needed in the process in order to fully understand all the data and finally transform it into a
complete study. In analyzing Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, the writer will use descriptive and qualitative method. The writer will go through the necessary steps for
achieving the most effective study results and these steps involves research design, data sources, data collection, and data analysis.
3.1 Research Design
In this study, the writer will use descriptive method design. The main objective of this type of research is to describe the data that is going to be studied.
This type of research also uses qualitative research method because all data are analyzed in the form of words and sentences. With descriptive research, the writer
will aim to carry out an exploration of the certain phenomena, which in this case is social construction, feminism, social oppression and other related issues to The Bell
Jar.
3.2 Data Sources
The data of this study is primarily from the novel The Bell Jar. The novel is the 50
th
anniversary edition that is published in 2013 by Harper Perennial Modern Classics. The novel consists of 244 pages. The data in the novel can be in the form of
words, phrases, or sentences. However, the writer only focuses on data that indicates the struggles of the main character in facing social oppression and the evidences of
social construction of women’s lives. Supporting the primary data, the writer also uses some related textbooks, articles, interviews, and audio books of the novel in
Universitas Sumatera Utara
reference to further guidance.
3.3 Data Collection
In the step of data collection, the writer will need both primary and secondary data sources. First of all, the writer starts with getting the novel The Bell Jar by Sylvia
Plath which is the primary data of this research and read it over and over until the writer understands the story well. The writer will also look into secondary data such
as gathering data from books, articles, webs and other supporting material that is relevant to the topic of the study. After the collection of raw materials, the writer
starts to go through the data more thoroughly and takes down any notes for necessary explanations. This involves underlining and highlighting important data as well as
quoting from the novel to provide concrete evidence. The data will be selected and organized in accordance with the problem of the study so finally the writer can carry
out an analysis.
3.4 Data Analysis
