NATURE OF DATA METHODOLOGY

63 relationship among the variables. Therefore, the analysis could only be used to describe the relation between the components of attitudes.

B. NATURE OF DATA

This research was a mixed-method design. The researcher conducted quantitative survey research which used measurement to analyze data and qualitative survey research through observation and interview for descriptive analysis. To conduct the quantitative survey research, the data should be numerical because it measures objective fact through measurement Neuman, 2006, p. 13. In order to do so, the data obtained from the questionnaire were ordinal. The questionnaires were used to record data in the form of number to enable data analysis and make inferences. Since the researcher made inferences, the nominal data were used to measure the variables, here were the components of attitudes, and tested the hypothesis. Therefore, the researcher had to use Likert scale for the numerical measurement and Spearman ‟s rho as the statistical technique. The result of statistical technique could show the relationship between the variables, whether the variables were dependent or independent. Therefore, it could help to identify the correlation between the components of attitudes. Since the research was based on the theoretical constructs, the data gathering instruments were aimed to gather empirical data based on the conceptual and operational definitions. The operational definitions of attitudes were used to develop the indicators for 64 questionnaire items. Then, the data would be used to test the hypothesis, whether it was accepted or rejected. After the numerical data were obtained, the qualitative survey research was conducted to gather descriptive data. The researcher interviewed some students to gather more information and description about their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and perceptions about the test. The data were used to confirm, support, and complete the results of the questionnaire. In terms of trustworthiness, the data were beneficial for triangulation. To gather real information about students‟ attitudes, the students were given freedom to share their experiences during the test preparation and test taking in the interview. Therefore, mixed method was used to gain the deeper meaning of students ‟ attitudes. The quantitative data could provide general information or trend of the population which were supported by the descriptive qualitative data.

C. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS