Setting of the Research

Besides, observation was done during the actions of the study. There were some points that were checked for the observation to make sure that the actions were implemented correctly in class. This evaluated the researcher in conducting the actions. In conducting observation, observation checklist was used. It was used to guide the collaborator in taking some notes related to how the actions were conducted in this study. To gain the quantitative data, the researcher conducted some writing tests. There were three writing tests i.e. pre-test, progress test, and post-test. Before the study, pre-test was done to give information about previous achievement of the participants. This also provided information related to the problems that should be solved. Then, after the implementation of tiered activities in Cycle I, the participants had a progress test. This test was to find out whether there was an improvement of participants’ writing skills or not. It also became the consideration in planning the actions in Cycle II. After conducting the Cycle II, the participants had a post-test. It was to measure how far the participants learnt from the actions. With the comparison between the results of the pre-test, progress test, and post-test, it is found that the study was successful.

F. Techniques of the Data Analysis

There were two types of data, qualitative data and quantitative data, in this study. To analyze the qualitative data, some stages of data analysis by Burns 1999: 157-160 were applied. They were assembling the data, coding the data, comparing the data, building interpretation, and reporting outcomes. 1. Assembling the Data In this step, the data were collected by doing interview and observation. Then, the data were presented in the form of interview transcripts and vignettes. 2. Coding the Data According to Burns 1999: 157, coding data is a process of reducing all the data and collected them into more manageable categories of concepts, themes or types. In this phase, the data were identified and coded into more specific categories. 3. Comparing the Data In this stage, comparing some categories of the collected data by using some data collection techniques was implemented. It was aimed at identifying the relationship between different sources of data. 4. Building Interpretation Researcher, in this phase, dealt with creative thinking responding to what the data imply. He discussed with the collaborator to pose questions, to identify connections, and to develop explanations related to the meaning of the collected data.