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findings previously revealed through the quantitative data collection and analyses. Qualitative data are also expected to be able to test the findings from
the quantitative data, so that they can function to either confirm or question the findings.
This research in its own is interesting sinc e so far most research in teachers‘
self-efficacy beliefs has been addressed to investigate teachers‘ efficacy beliefs
in general. Numerous research studies have been conducted in this area of efficacy with the specific sample of science teachers, yet none has focused on
teachers of a foreign language where cultural background was an important issue as well, because language is bound to the specific culture of the speakers.
N o research on teachers‘ efficacy beliefs that has been contextualized within
issues of policy changes regarding teaching practices. This research, therefore, was important not only to see the cultural effects related to teaching profession
on teachers‘ efficacy beliefs but also to investigate the effect of policy changes on teachers‘ efficacy beliefs.
3.3 Research site
This research was conducted in Yogyakarta province of Indonesia. It is a province located in the island of Java, about 650 kilometers east of Jakarta, the
capital city of Indonesia. There are three main reasons why data were collected from this province. First, Yogyakarta is considered a province with typical
Javanese culture; Teachers for Javanese people are considered sources of knowledge and wisdom. Besides, in the perspective of education in Indonesia,
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Yogyakarta has long been known as city of education not only because of the oldest university in Indonesia, Gajah Mada University, is located in this
province but also because the academic culture which is very strong in this region. These cultural and academic aspects provide teachers with social status
and respect which to a certain extent would affect the work life of teachers. Therefore, conducting research in the level of teachers‘ efficacy beliefs in this
area is worth doing.
Second, there are four districts and one municipality in this province. They are Sleman, Kulonprogo, Bantul and Gunungkidul districts, and Yogyakarta
municipality. All districts and the municipality have different characteristics regarding to the socio-economy of the people which in turn impacts on the
academic culture of the people. Sleman district and Yogyakarta City Municipality, for example, have relatively higher socio-economic condition and
they have better academic atmosphere due to the existence of the four big universities in this area. Gunungkidul is considered the least in the rank due to
the further location of the district from the city centre and the geographical condition which consists of a range of highlands and hills. Districts very often
have different policies towards education in general and teachers teaching in the area in particular. These different policies and supports from the local
government might provide sources of variance in terms of the level of efficacy of the teachers. Furthermore, different working atmosphere and the available
facilities in the area will possibly provide sources of information related to the
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level of teachers‘ efficacy beliefs. Different characteristics of different parts of the province are, therefore, expected to provide different information in relation
to the sense of efficacy beliefs of the teachers.
Third, Yogyakarta province was the area most severely affected by the 26 July 2006 earthquake. More than five thousand people in the province were killed
and many more lost their houses. The earthquake also damaged most schools in the region, especially in Bantul district, so that it affected the learning and
teaching process. Teachers had to work even harder not only to present the materials, but also to motivate the students in learning. It was also harder for
teachers because they had much less equipment, text books and other resources. Some of the teachers also had to teach in temporary schools which were built
with bamboo and had no floors. Besides, they also had to cope with the traumatic feeling they suffered from the earthquake. Regarding the effect of the
earthquake, investigating the state of their efficacy in teaching is also worth doing.
In addition, the researcher has been living and working in this province for the last two decades, so that it helps the researcher to get access to the participants.
It also helps the researcher understand the cultural context within the area which in turn helps in framing the discussion and interpretation on the data.
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3.4 Gaining Access
