a mosque, an OSIS room, a parking areas, a garden, and 8 toilets. This school has some courts, such as football court, basketball court, and volleyball court.
The researcher conducted the research in this school for about two months. It was started on March 10
th
2010 and was finished on May 3
rd
2010. The researcher adjusted the research schedule with the lesson schedule of this school.
She conducted her research twice a week.
2. The Subject of the Research
The subject of the research was the students of class VIII A of SMPN 1 Kaliwiro. This class consisted of 28 students. The students were observed by the
researcher in their English lesson.
B. Why Action Research
1. The Definition of Action Research
In this study, the classroom action research was conducted as a way to solve the problems related to
students’ pronunciation. According to Ferrance 1998 action research is a process in which participants examine their own
educational practice systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research. Ferrance’s statement is clear enough since it provides complete information about
action research reflected in these key words: process, participants, educational practice, and techniques of research.
Meanwhile, Carr and Kemmis in Anne Burns 1999: 30 states that action research is the application of fact finding to practical problem solving in a
commit to users
social situation with a view to improving the quality of action within it, involving the collaboration and co-operation of researchers, practitioners, and laymen.
Wallace 1998: 255 states that action research is a method of professional development which involves the systematic collection and analysis of
data related to practice. From the definition above, it can be concluded that action research is the
systematic study of problem solving in a social situation with the involvement of the researcher to improve the quality of action within it which involves the
systematic collection and analysis of data related to practice.
2. The Characteristics of Action Research
The following common features are the characteristics of action research suggested by Burns 1999: 30:
a. Action research is contextual, small-scale and localized. It identifies and
investigates problems within a specific situation. b.
It is evaluative and reflective as it aims to bring about change and improvement in practice.
c. It is participatory as it provides for collaborative investigation by teams of
colleagues, practitioners and researchers. d.
Changes in practice are based on the collection of information or data which provides the impetus for change.
Based on the characteristics of action research above, this research was appropriately conducted as classroom action research in order to bring social and
commit to users
educational change and improvement in pronunciation ability and students’ learning attitude.
3. The Advantages of Action Research
