Figure 1: Action research cycles proposed by Kemmis and Taggart Burns, 2010:9
According to Figure 1, the researcher identified some problems, formulated some actions to overcome the problems, implemented the actions, and reflected
the result of the actions. In the action phase, he implemented the mind mapping technique during the teaching and learning process. He also actively participated
in the research in order to solve the problem. Through each part of those cycles, it was expected to bring improvement for students’ ability in writing descriptive
texts. Since the nature of action research is collaborative, the researcher did not
work alone. He collaborated with the collaborator and also the English teacher to improve the way to teach writing descriptive texts for grade VII E students
through mind mapping.
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B. Setting of Research
1. Place Setting
This research was conducted in SMPN 2 Gamping. He chose the school since when he conducted observation, there were some problems in the teaching
and learning process especially in writing descriptive texts. The school is located in Trihanggo, Jl. Kabupaten, Gamping, Sleman. The
school has some facilities such as a principal’s room, a vice principals’ room, teacher’s room, 24 classrooms, a meeting room, an administration room, a room
for guidance and counseling, a school health unit, a hall, a mosque, a library, two laboratories, a music room, sport fields, an OSIS room, a guest room, a canteen
and other supporting facilities. For teaching and learning process, this school has 24 classrooms with 6 classes for grade VII, 6 classes for grade VIII, and 6 classes
for grade IX. 2.
Time Setting This research was held in the second semester in the academic year of
20132014. The observation was done in February 2014. Then, the action research was conducted from March to May 2014. The action research was carried out
based on the school schedule three times a week on every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
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3. Participant
The participant was the researcher in collaboration with the researcher members including the English teacher, the collaborator and the students of Class
VII E at SMPN 2 Gamping in the academic year of 20132014. The class consists of 34 students. 15 of them are male and 19 students are female.
C. Data Collection
1. Type of Data
There were two types of data that were obtained in this research. The data obtained through interviews and observations belong to qualitative data.
Meanwhile, the students’ score of writing tests belong to quantitative data. 2.
Instruments a.
Interview Guidelines Interview guidelines led the researcher to conduct the interview run well.
Using interview guidelines enabled the researcher to complete the interviews in a right and sequenced order. In addition, it helped the researcher to check that the
needed information had already been elicited. b.
Observation Sheets Observation sheets helped the researcher to record the data collected during
the research. Moreover, through the notes, the researcher was able to see the progress of the students’ writing mastery.
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