Chapter Three

CHAPTER 3

THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

 

3.1       THE RESEARCH DESIGN

The data from this study was obtained by two ways; questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Gathering data from questionnaire focuses the student, since there is a number of student sample, questionnaire best fit this scenario since it is practical in a large sample. K. Popper (1959) listed seven advantages of questionnaire.

·         Practical

·         Large amounts of information can be collected from a large number of people in a short period of time and in a relatively cost effective way

·         Can be carried out by the researcher or by any number of people with limited affect to its validity and reliability

·         The results of the questionnaires can usually be quickly and easily quantified by either a researcher or through the use of a software package

·         Can be analysed more 'scientifically' and objectively than other forms of research

·         When data has been quantified, it can be used to compare and contrast other research and may be used to measure change

·         Positivists believe that quantitative data can be used to create new theories and / or test existing hypotheses

Meanwhile, the semi-structured interview focus was the teachers. There are not many teacher in a school compared to students. To get the most out of this situation, semi-structured interview is the best since the researcher can go in-depth with each sample. Kvale (1996) defines interview as “an interchange of views between two or more people on a topic of mutual interest, sees the centrality of human interaction for knowledge production, and emphasizes the social situatedness of research data.”

3.2       SAMPLE AND SAMPLING

The population sample of this school is taken from SMK Seri Menanti, a secondary one-session school located in state of Johor. It is a rural school with a mix of Chinese and Tamil students.

Cluster sampling technique was used to decide the sample. Cluster sampling is a situation where a small sub-group is taken from a big group. Saifuddin (2009) defines cluster sampling as a group of population elements, constitutes the sampling unit, instead of a single element of the population. He also listed several advantages to cluster sampling as follow:

·         Generating sampling frame for clusters is economical, and sampling frame is often readily available at cluster level

·         Most economical form of sampling

·         Larger sample for a similar fixed cost

·         Less time for listing and implementation

·         Also suitable for survey of institutions

As a result, 5 teachers (teaching Form 1 to Form 5) and 60 Form 5 students were chosen for the interview and questionnaire. There is no specific requirement for each type of sample. The teacher will be referred as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively if needed and the students will remain anonymous.

3.3       INSTRUMENTATION

A set of non-adapted questionnaire was used to obtain data for this study. The questionnaire consists of four (4) sections; A) Demographic Data, B) English Background Information, C) Literature Background Information, and D) Literature Component, with 13 main questions (70 total items inclusive four demographic data items). The questionnaire is in bi-language to further minimize confusion among students.

The semi-structured interview consists of four (4) demographic questions, five (5) teacher’s background information, four (4) teaching background information, five (5) students’ participation in classroom, and six (6) teacher’s material preferences, with a total of 20 questions.

3.4       DATA COLLECTION

The researcher first conducted a library research to find any existing data, information, article, research that had be written by any people or organization that directly or indirectly related to this research.

The data was collected with an assistant from one of the teacher in the school (will now referred as ‘the assistant’). The assistant passed the questionnaire to class representative to be distributed whenever there is a free time or period. Within the same day, the questionnaire is collected to avoid missing questionnaire.

            As for the interview, the assistant arranged with the teacher, according to both schedule and timetable, for a meeting. During suitable time, the interview is conducted. Kvale (1996) defines qualitative interviews as "attempts to understand the world from the subjects”. Opdenakker (2006) states that, face-to-face interviews could take its advantage of social cues. Social cues here are referring to body language, face expression and/or intonation that could further provide or explain what the interviewee is trying to convey. In addition, taking note is also beneficial in case of malfunction of the recorder and/or tape. Opdenakker (2006) lists the benefits of taking notes during interview, which is (1) to check if all the questions have been answered, (2) in case of malfunctioning of the tape recorder, and (3) in case of "malfunctioning of the interviewer". He also added to number 3 where he once forgot to hit the ‘RECORD’ button.

3.5       DATA ANALYSIS

The data from the questionnaire was first plotted in IBM SPSS Statistic where then the data was analysed and transformed into graphs and/or table if needed. Descriptive statistics, multiple response and crosstabulation were used to analyse the data. As for the interview, the dialogue was transcribed and analysed. The questions were analysed one by one. The researcher then induced and deduced the data to answer the Research Question.