The Definition of Action Research

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C. Research Method

In this study, the researcher applies a classroom action research as the method of the study in order to improve students’ speaking skill in SDN Cemara Dua No. 13 Surakarta especially students in class IA RSBI. Applying the classroom action research at the first grade of RSBI Students in SDN Cemara Dua No. 13 Surakarta had been estimated based on some facts and the result of pre- research, the writer knows that most of students have problems in speaking including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and also low motivation.

1. The Definition of Action Research

In this research, the writer uses action research method. As stated by Milis 2006:6 action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by the teacher, researchers, principals, school counsellors, or other stakeholder in teaching or learning environment to gather information about the ways that their particular school operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn. Stephen Kemmis in Hopkins 1993: 44-45 states that action research is a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social including education situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of a their own social or educational practices, b their understanding of these practices, and c the situation in which the practices are carried out. It is most rationally empowering when undertaken by participants collaboratively, though it is often undertaken by individuals, and sometimes in cooperation with „outsiders’. commit to user 42 Nunan 1992:18 stated that action research has a distinctive feature that is those affected by planned changes have their primary responsibility for deciding on courses of critically informed action which seems likely to lead improvement and for evaluating the results of strategies tried out in practice. In other hand, Burns 1999: 30 makes several characteristics of action research: 1. Action research is contextual, small – scale and localized. It identifies and investigates problem within a specific situation. 2. It is evaluating and reflective as it aims to bring about change and improvement in practice. 3. It is participatory as it provides for collaborative investigation by teams of colleagues, practitioners and researchers. 4. Changes in practice are based on the collaboration of information or data which provides the impetus for change. From the definitions above, the researcher can conclude the characteristics of action research: Action research is carried out by practitioners and an evaluative and reflective process in its aim to bring about social and educational change and improvement in practice. The results of the research have direct application to real-world problems. Action research provides collaborative investigation by teams of colleagues, practitioners and researchers. The treatment and methods that are investigated are flexible. The action research consists of several stages, planning, pre-research, the research and post research. In planning stage, the writer plans and prepares everything about the research. Pre-research is purposed to find out the data and commit to user 43 gathering the information from the object and it is done before the writer comes to the real research. In the research, it is divided in to two cycles; they are first and second cycle. The writer chooses action research because by using action research, it can enable the writer to find out a solution to the teaching problem. Action research encourages the writer to be a reflective in her own practice in order to develop the quality of the education for the teacher itself and for the pupils.

2. Concept of Action Research