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they chatted in the class, and they had no response when they were asked questions. Therefore, in this classroom action research, the researcher uses
graphic organizers to solve the students’ problem in comprehending the text and their motivation in reading. By using Graphic Organizers, hopefully, it can
increase their motivation and as a result their reading comprehension improves as well.
C. Research Method
This research is carried out as classroom action research in collaboration with an English teacher of SMA Negeri 6 Surakarta in the academic year of 2009-
2010. Some definitions of the action research that are proposed by experts are as follows: Burns 1993: 30 states that action research is the application of fact
finding to practical problem solving in social situation with a view to improve the quality of action within it, involving the collaboration and cooperation of
researcher, practitioners and laymen. In addition, Nunan 1998:229 states that action research is a form of self-reflective inquiry carried out by practitioners,
aimed at solving problems, improving practice, or enhancing understanding. It is often collaborative”.
Another definition comes from Mills 2006: 6 who states that: Action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by teacher researchers,
principals, school counselor, or other stakeholders in teachinglearning environment, to gather information about the ways that their particular school
operates how to teach, and how well their students learn. This information is gathered with the goals of gaining insight, developing reflective practice,
effective positive changes in the school environment and on educational practices in general, and improving students outcomes and the lives of those
involved.
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Furthermore, Burns 1999: 30 said that there are four characteristics of action research:
1. Action research is contextual, small scale and localized, it identifies and
investigates problems within a specific situation. 2.
It is evaluative and reflective as it aims to bring about change and improvement it practice.
3. It is participatory as it provides for collaborative investigation by team of
colleagues, practitioners, and researcher. 4.
Change in practice is based on the collection of information or data which provides the impetus for change.
Based on the above statements, it can be concluded that action research is a process of self reflective inquiry by gathering information about the way
particular school operate how to teach, and how well students learn. It is used for improving teaching learning process in school. It is conducted by teacher
researchers, principals,
school counselor,
or other
stakeholders in
teachinglearning environment. In this kind of research, the researcher collaborates and cooperates with practitioner and laymen. In this research, action
research was carried out to improve the students’ reading comprehension and to improve teacher’s professionalism in teaching reading.
D. The Model of Action Research
