HANDOUT 1

Activity 1 1. What is research? According to Nunan, research is a process of formulating questions, problems, or hypotheses; collecting data or evidence relevant to these questions/ problems/ hyphotheses; and analyzing or interpreting these data. Nunan also defines that research is a systematic process of inquiry consisting of : a question, problem, or hypothesis; data and analysis of the data. 2. What makes research different from other types of inquiry? Research is different from any other inquiry because it must have, at least, three components or elements namely a problem; data or evidence and analysis of the data. 3. Mention the three major components of research! The three major components of research are a PROBLEM or question; DATA and ANALYSIS of the data. 4. Mention as many other terms as you can which are commonly associated with research! The terms which are commonly associated with research are inquiry, knowledge, hypothesis, information, classification, analysis, interpretation, investigation, understanding, concept, problem, prove/disprove, theory/literature, evaluation, questions, analysis, measurement, scientific method, empiric, study, statistic, insight, phenomena, demystify, uncover, solution/conclusion/result, report. Activity 2 1. How does research relate with theory? According to Runcie all disciplines must do a research in order to have better understanding and not only speculation or guess. Existing theories can lead a research to new findings or conclusions and these findings are then fed back to form new theories. In this way the discipline grows and develops extended theories. 2. What happens if the research results contradict the theory? It is possible that the results of research contradict the theory. If so, the researcher should look back whether he relies on the correct theory to lead in the research; if he does then whether he applies correct methods to carry out the research; if he does then whether he gathers data and analyses them correctly. In short the design will determine whether the process goes right or wrong. If these have been evaluated and the results still contradict the theory, the theory itself may have been outdated. 3. What is the general purpose of the research? The general purpose of carrying out the research is that the researcher wants to further the knowledge, to improve the existing theory or to arrive at new findings so that the discipline on which he stands can grow or develop. 4. What may be the purpose of research in English or English teaching? The research in English is probably attempted to study the acquisition of English language by a certain ethnic group of non English speaking people or the influence of local socio-cultural aspects of the people towards the mastery of English as a foreign language. While research in English teaching may seek effective techniques of teaching communicative English to adult students of English as a second language.

Activity 3 1. What are the characteristics of the research process, and describe (in one sentence) each one of them? The characteristics of the research process, according to Tuckman, are: a. Systematic, i.e. research must follow rules or procedures for designing the study and relating the data to the problem and hypothesis. b. Logical, i.e. research must employ logic throughout the process so that it will arrive at valid result or conclusion. c. Empirical, i.e. research must have data as a source of findings and should relate them to the immediate situation in which the research takes place. d. Reductive, i.e. researcher may reduce characteristics of individual events or objects to find general identity of the objects in order to be able to construct a concept. e. Replicable or transmittable, i.e. the result oaf the research may be used by other researchers to conduct further studies and the procedures may also be repeated to test further validity for the conclusion and extending knowledge. 2. What is one of the most important features common to all research projects? As Runcie said one of the most important features common to all research projects is the attempt to show how one variable is the cause of another. The causal variable having been found, however, may have some other different interpretations, thats why the design of the research should be carefully thought in order that the conclusion is testable. 3. What are the steps to be taken in conducting research? The steps to be taken in conducting research are: a. Identifying a problem: not only to identify the problem area but a specific problem within that area. b. Constructing a hypothesis: what result is expected by the end of the process. c. Reviewing the literature: the problem and hypothesis lead to the review of the theory or result of previous studies. d. Constructing a research design: determining how the research will be carried out is a very important part. e. Collecting data: methods of collecting and kinds of data are substantial so that hypothesis can be tested and strengthening or new theories can be formulated. f. Analysing data: statistical procedures are applied here in order to make correct interpretation of the data. g. Making conclusion: based on the underlying theory and result of data analysis, conclusions are drawn and suggestions are made. h. Writing the report: it is not actually a part of conducting research, but as research is a scientific study the result should be documented and may be published for the society. 4. Compare the steps suggested by Runcie and those suggested by Tuckman (Discuss the similarities and differences). a. b. c. d. e. f. g. a. b. c. d. e. Runcie suggested the following steps: Type of research (approaches) Theory Hypothesis Method Data Analysing data Report Tuckman suggested the followings: Poblem identification Hypothesis Theory Identifying Variables Constructing a design

f. g. h. i.

Instruments Collecting data Analysing data Report

Runcie suggested that researchers used existing theories to formulate hypothesis but Tuckman said that once a problem was identified researchers could state an expectation (hypothesis). Runcie underlined that method was important as procedures but Tuckman suggested on the design.

MAJOR RESEARCH TRADITIONS

Prof. Mursid Saleh, Ph.D.

Assignment 3 HANDOUT 3 (Week 3-4)

Submitted by

Toni Hartono

Post-Graduate Program - English Studies State University of Semarang (UNNES)

2006