Methods of Collecting Data

Figure 3.2 Procedure of Experiment

3.6 Methods of Collecting Data

Gathering the data is the most important thing in doing a research. The data were obtained from the students of SMP N 3 Sawangan Magelang in the academic year of 20122013. They were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. According to Sujana 2002: 8 there are several ways in collecting the data such as: Experimental Group T-test formula The result is compared with the result of the experimental group The result is compared with the result of the control group Post-Test Control Group Pre-Test Treatment : Learn descriptive text by Using Flash Card Treatment : Learn descriptive text by using BBC Nature video T-test formula 1 Conducting a direct research to the subject of the study or at a laboratory, concerning the subject of the study. The result of the research is recorded and then analyzed. 2 Taking or using a whole or a part of the reported data from various sources. 3 Arranging a questioner, that is the way of collecting the data using a list of questionnaires which has been prepared. In this study, the first and the second steps were more appropriate in collecting the data because the research was about writing. The test was used to measure the students‟ ability in writing descriptive text. There are some steps in conducting the test. First step that is important is planning the test. In planning the test we have to know the characteristics of a good measuring instrument. What is the purpose of the test and what information to be obtained in the tests are very important for designing the test. According to Brown 1981, the things that must be considered in planning the tests are : 1 Relevance The test must measure the results, reflect the achievement of specific goals and objectives of a course. The test should contain material that has been taught, in addition, the test also measures only the knowledge and skills that have been taught in the course. 2 Proper sampling . Each test item should reflect the desired learning outcomes. If it is impossible, then the test should include representative sampling that essential in learning outcomes . 3 Standard Conditions If the test user does not use the test under the same conditions given the same time, level of difficulty and the same content, etc. , differences in factors that will influence the performance of their scores can not be directly compared. 4 Difficulties Difficulty is defined as the percentage of people who gived right answer in the specified item. Difficulty, several things including the age of the students.In mastery, good testing items will be answered correctly by students who master the material. In other circumstances the difficult item used to determine grade, the purpose of testing to distinguish between students who have different levels of knowledge about a subject. 5 Consistency Consistency or reliability is important in the test because if the test is not consistently measure, individual score will vary from time to time. 6 Meaningful score Score will provide useful information accurate student achievement can be used to make decisions. Then, after planning the test, the test was given to the students in the form of essay test. Here, the experimental group and control were asked to write descriptive text. There are two sections of the test : 1 Pre-test Before starting the research, the students were asked to do the pre test. The administration procedure of pre-test as the research instrument for the control group was the same as the administration procedure for the experimental group. Both of them were asked to write essay in the form of descriptive text. T he theme was “My Beloved Animals”. 2 Post-test After having the treatment, the students were asked to do post-test. This test was used to find out the significant difference between the students‟ ability in writing a descriptive text before and after the treatment; and whether or not there was significant difference between the group taught by using BBC Nature video and taught by using Flash Card.Both of them were asked to write essay in the form of descriptive text. The theme was “My Beloved Animals”

3.7 Methods of Analyzing Data