34 located data. The researcher used that data since the objective of this research was
to describe Junior High School English UN.
4. Developing a Sampling
The researcher developed a purposive sampling in this research. The researcher then chose 10 greeting card, 19 letter and 31 filling-gap texts along
with 183 following questions. The researcher intentionally determined the sample because it had specific reasons which supported the topic she investigated. As
Fraenkel and Wallen 2006, p. 100 state, researchers could use a purposive sampling to determine the sample which specifically supported the purposes of the
research.
5. Formulating Coding Categories
The research conducted two coding processes in this research. It was because the researcher applied two techniques when determining the coding
categories. The researcher determined the coding categories to gather the data about the levels of thinking employed in the three consecutive years of Junior
High School English UN before any analysis began. Fraenkel and Wallen 2006, p. 485 argue, researchers could determine the categories before any analysis
began.
6. Reliability and Validity
Reliability and validity were process to measure the consistency, correctness and meaningfulness of the data collecting process which had been
conducted Fraenkel Wallen, 2006, p. 150. This research used triangulation techniques to check how reliable and valid the data was. Campbell and Fiske
35 1959 argue
, “Triangulation is a powerful way of demonstrating concurrent validity, particularly in qualitative research” as cited in Cohen, Manion, and
Morrison, 2011, p. 195. Moreover, this research applied three types of triangulation in order to measure the reliability and validity of the collected data.
First is time triangulation. Cohen, Manion, and Morrison 2011, p. 196 state
, “This type attempts to take into consideration the factors of change and process by utilizing cross-
sectional and longitudinal designs.” Therefore, the process which allowed the researcher to make revisions
ensured the researcher’s ways of thinking so that it made the collected data valid. Second is theoretical
triangulation. Cohen, Manion, and Morrison 2011, p. 196 state, “This type
draws upon alternative or competing theories in preference to utilizing one viewpoint only.” The researcher used theories about testing by Brown 2004 and
about levels of thinking skill by Anderson and Krathwohl 2001 to shape her point of view. That was why these theories made the consistency and correctness
of the data collecting process. Last is investigator triangulation. Silverman 1993 states that researchers
can measure the research reliability and validity by engaging more than one observer as cited in Cohen, Manion, and Morrison, 2011, p. 196. Therefore, the
researcher engaged experts’ judgments to measure the reliability and validity of the collected data. Those experts were the research supervisor and the examiners
who examined this research on the thesis defense.
