64
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology which was used to ensure the credibility, dependability and transferabilty of the empirical truth. The research
methodology consists of four parts namely method, research design, data acquisition; and data analysis and interpretation.
A. RESEARCH METHOD
The purpose of this study was to find out the hidden curriculum in selected NSSS. Since the study was intended to investigate the current practice and social
phenomena of ELT in national-standard schools and no prior studies on this topic had been conducted yet, theory needed to be generated from the data which was
grounded from the participants. Hence, the method applied for this study was exploratory grounded theory.
Grounded theory is an inductive research because theories are drawn from the data rather than exist before Cohen, Maion and Morrison, 2007; and Ary,
Jacobs, Sorensen and Razavieh, 2010. From the inductive research, researchers then can construct concept Ary et al., 2010. This method is able to catch the
naturalistic elements of research since it focuses on the interconnectedness of everyday life action Glaser, 1996 in Cohen et al., 2007. Furthermore, it is able to
formulate the element into a methodology which is conducted systematically. Grounded theory emphasizes on the way people act. A research with grounded
theory method focuses on „inconsistencies, contradictions, discontinuities and
65 relatedness in actions‟ which are obvious in the actions Cohen et al., 2007,
specifically the actions of teachers in this study. In ot her words „grounded theory
... tends to get at exactly what‟s going on‟ Glaser, 1996 in Cohen et al., 2007. In grounded theory, the design is made systematically to develop and
generate theory based on the gathered and analysed data Glaser, 1994 in Cohen et al., 2007; Strauss and Corbin, 1994 in Cohen, 2010; Ary et al., 2010 and Creswell,
2012. The data is employed to clarify „a process, action or interaction among people‟ Creswell, 2012. From the analysis of the data, researchers then propose
a possible relationship among the concept and eventually to form the theory Ary et al., 2010. In other words the explanation is attained from the information
grounded in the data taken from the participants. Several features to determine grounded theory are proposed by Cohen et
al. 2007. First, „theory is emergent rather than predefined and tested‟. The theory or pattern found in this study arises unexpectedly based on the collected data
rather than a result of a hypothesis. Second, „theory emerges from the data rather than vice versa‟. The researcher collected data from observations and interviews
to attain patterns shared by the data. This data was then employed to generate the pattern shared by the participants. Third, „theory generation is a consequence of,
and partner to, systematic data collection and analysis.‟ As explained previously, the pattern attained in this study was provided from the analysis and description of
the data from interviews and observations. Data collection and analysis were conduct
ed systematically based on a certain procedure referring to Creswell‟s data collection precedures. Fourth, „patterns and theories are implicit in data, waiting
to be discovered‟. The patterns were not made by the researcher. Instead, they
66 were already there in the result of observations and interviews. The researcher
only needed to analyse, figure out and describe the patterns to make them apparent and noticable.
B. RESEARCH DESIGN
In conducting this study, the researcher employed Strauss and Corbin‟s systematic approach. The approach consists of two procedures i.e. data collection
and data analysis. However, the procedure for data collection was mixed with the one adopted from Creswell‟s five phases of data collection instead of thoroughly
adopting the data collection procedure of systematic appoach. It is due to the incomplete procedure of data collection in systematic aproach. In the approach,
the data collection only covers the data collection instruments. Creswell‟s five phases then completed the procedures in choosing participants, gaining
permission, designing protocol and administering data collection. Data analysis is described further in part D. The whole design of this research can be seen from
figure 3.1. below.
Figure 3. 1 Design of the Study adopted from Strauss Corbin, 1998 and Creswell, 2012
67 Since grounded theory is a systematic method, it uses systematic design
Cohen et al., 2007; Ary et al., 2010; and Cresswell, 2012. The systematic design followed the steps carried out in qualitative research. It covered five phases of
data collection in qualitative method. Those were participants, permission, data types, design protocol and administering data collection Creswell, 2012: 205.
The complete discussion of each phase is presented below. 1.
Participants Purposive sampling was employed to identify the participants and the sites
for this study. It is a mechanism of sampling conducted to determine the most proper places and persons in which the researcher could gain the best
understanding on the central phenomenon being studied Ary et al., 2010 and Creswell, 2012. This type of sampling enables the researcher to develop
understanding of the phenomenon in detail by either providing useful information, helping people learn about the phenomenon or giving voice to silenced people
Creswell, 2012: 206. It also enables us to choose the site of study, whether it is one site like one school, several sites like three secondary schools, individuals or
groups such as grade X students, or some combinations like two secondary schools and the grade X students of the schools.
Several variations of purposive sampling are usually used in qualitative research. As presented in figure 3.2., Creswell categorizes nine purposive
sampling based on the time the sampling is conducted. If the sampling is conducted before the data collection, the research may use maximal variation
sampling, extreme case sampling, typical sampling, critical sampling, homogeneous sampling and theory or concept sampling. On the other hand,
68 opportunistic sampling, snowball sampling and confirming disconfirming
sampling are carried out after the data collection is accomplished Creswell, 2012: 206
– 209.
Figure 3. 2 Types of Purposive Sampling Creswell, 2012: 207
Further, Miles and Huberman 1994 and Marshall and Rossman 2006 in Ary et al. 2010 describe more than those nine samplings. They also include
comprehensive sampling, negative or discrepant sampling, intensity sampling, stratified purposeful sampling, random purposeful sampling, criterion sampling
and convenience sampling 2010. Since the method used in this study was grounded theory, the purposive
sampling applied for this research was theoretical or concept sampling. According to Creswell, in theory or concept sampling, the researcher chooses particular
indivduals or sites which can help himher „generate or discover a theory or specific concepts within the theory„ 2012: 208. A deep understanding of the
concept or theory is required to use this method. Individuals or sites can be chosen to help the researcher understand a concept or a theory.