Research Approach to TEFL

Dini Haiti Zulfany

F2201131007
1. How do you find an interesting, unique, important, contribute, and meaningful topic
to conduct a research?
The topic of the research must be feasible, which means that we will do a research
which can be brought into the real life. Thats why we need to some important points
such as: brainstorm for ideas, read general background information, focus in on a
manageable topic, make a list of useful keywords, research and read more about your
topic. Those points are important to do to make sure that the topic is researchable.
Additionally, to make it interesting, unique, important, contribute, and meaningful, the
researcher should be able to present a topic which can fill the gap of the previous
research.
2. Write a model for no 1 as a title of your research!
A Case Study on Students Blog Writing in English Language Learning
3. What should you write in a research background? (what should be covered and why?)
In the background, we have to write the existing problem, our reasoning, the previous
study, and our assumption. The existing problem is written to indicate that our
research is true and not gossiping. The problem then should be explained more detail
by conveying the reason, and supported by the findings of similar or previous study.
Last but not least, the assumption is important to show that we can sell the idea of our
research.
4. Write a model of your background (related to your title no 2) only for the first
paragraph.
The practitioners of education nowadays have been starting to get involved in
maximizing the use of technology for the better improvement of its quality. Web 2.0
as one of the most provoking part of it gives us chance to update the ways of language
learning (Alm, 2009). There are a lot of options for both teachers and students to
utilize Web 2.0 for the sake of the teaching learning process, especially in English
Language Learning. Blog is one of many options among Web 2.0 tools which have
been very popular to use among the internet users. Many kinds of blog platforms such
as Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, and blog.com provide free and friendly-user services.
The chance to have global audience in blogging is another reason why blog is very
popular. Fiorello (2013) stated that students can also be triggered to be more active
and motivated to love learning through blogging.
5. Research problem and research question are different. Why? How do you state your
research questions, then?
Research problem is broad, general in nature. While research question is the specific
question or part of the solution that we are working on or going to gather research on.
We state the research problem in the background, while we state the research question
in the different subheading of the background. We need to do that because research

question determines where and what kind of research the writer will be looking for.
Our research also identifies the specific objectives of our study.
6. Write a model of your research questions (see title no 2)
What kind of blogging activity which lead the students to the process of English
Language Learning?
7. Is terminology the same as definition? Why or why not? Then, what should be written
in terminology?
Terminology and definition are two different things. Definition covers the daily
meaning of certain word or phrase which may not relate to our research, while
terminology is a brief explanation of the word or phrase which is related to our
research based on the setting of the study. It means, in terminology, we are not writing
the definition. We elaborate the terms that we use related to our topic of research
contextually.
8. Write a model of your terminology (see title no 2)
Writing refers to the product of students writing which were posted in their blog.
9. How do you develop your frame of theory? (Literature review)
First, cover the basic categories
Just like most academic papers, literature reviews also must contain at least three
basic elements: an introduction or background information section; the body of the
review containing the discussion of sources; and, finally, a conclusion and/or
recommendations section to end the paper.
Introduction: Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review, such as the
central theme or organizational pattern.
Body: Contains the discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically,
thematically, or methodologically (see below for more information on each).
Conclusions/Recommendations: Discuss what we have drawn from reviewing
literature so far. Where might the discussion proceed?
Second, organize the body
Once we have the basic categories in place, then we must consider how we will
present the sources themselves within the body ofouer paper. Create an
organizational method to focus this section even further.
Chronological
If the review follows the chronological method, we could write about the materials
above according to when they thee published.
By publication
Order the sources by publication chronology, then, only if the order demonstrates a
more important trend.

By trend
A better way to organize the above sources chronologically is to examine the sources
under another trend, such as the history of whaling. Then the review would have
subsections according to eras within this period.
Thematic
Thematic reviews of literature are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the
progression of time. However, progression of time may still be an important factor in
a thematic review. But more authentic thematic reviews tend to break away from
chronological order.
Methodological
A methodological approach differs from the two above in that the focusing factor
usually does not have to do with the content of the material. Instead, it focuses on the
methods of the researcher or writer. Once weve decided on the organizational
method for the body of the review, the sections we need to include in the paper
should be easy to figure out. They should arise out of the organizational strategy. In
other words, a chronological review would have subsections for each vital time
period. A thematic review would have subtopics based upon factors that relate to the
theme or issue. Sometimes, though, we might need to add additional sections that are
necessary for the study, but do not fit in the organizational strategy of the body. What
other sections we include in the body is up to we. Put in only what is necessary. Here
are a few other sections we might want to consider:
Current Situation: Information necessary to understand the topic or focus of the
literature review.
History: The chronological progression of the field, the literature, or an idea that is
necessary to understand the literature review, if the body of the literature review is
not already a chronology.
Methods and/or Standards: The criteria we used to select the sources in the literature
review or the way in which we present the information.
Questions for Further Research: What questions about the field has the review
sparked? How will we further the research as a result of the review?
10. Write a model of a paragraph in your literature review where you put quotation in it!
Currently, there are many definitions of blogs. The term blog itself, basically,
is a blend of two words: web and log. Blog is believed to have been used firstly by
John Berger in 1997 (Rachael in Kuzu, 2007). The inception of the idea of Web
logs began in 1993. The term was coined in 1997 and it was shortened to blogs in
1999 (Jones, 2006). Blogging served a few genres in the beginning such as
journalism, online diaries, and knowledge-work. It was not u unified genre for writing
(Ward, 2004). Boas (2011) defines it as a web page with regular diary or journal
entries that incorporates different postings by authors and responses to these posts by
an audience.

11. What do you know about frame of concept? Is it about the procedures or about your
concept in solving the research questions based on theories you have in literature
review?
Frame of concept is the brief overview of how we are going to solve the problems
which we have found on our research. Thus, in solving the problems, the researcher
must refer to the theory conveyed in the literature review.
12. Write a model of a paragraph which reflects the core of your concept in solving the
research questions! (see no 5)
After having one class to be the sample, the researcher will use purposive
sampling to choose some students to be interviewed with some requirements. Jones
(2006) stated that the selections of the students for case studies can be based on a
cross range of technology skills as well as their attitudes and experience about
technology and writing whether it is positive, average, and negative. Thus, after
analyzing the questionnaire, the researcher will select some students who are
considered having novice, some experience, and expert techno literacy; and fairly
good, good, and very good English writing ability to be interviewed and had the blogs
observed.
13. How do you choose an appropriate method for your research? (Detail
considerations/reasons for title no 2)
This research will be conducted to investigate students blog writing which has been
conducted in ICT Class. The method used in this research will be case study. Case
study is considered as the appropriate approach for this research since the writer is
going to investigate a phenomenon of blog utilizing which existed in ICT Class. Yin
in Duff (2008) defined a case study as an empirical inquiry that investigates a
contemporary phenomenon within its real life context when the boundaries between
phenomenon and context are not clearly evident, and in which multiple sources of
evidence are used.
14. How do you take population and sample (or subject of the research)? (see title no 2)
The researcher will purposive sampling technique in this research. There will be two
kinds of sample in this research; they are the Regular A students of English Language
Study Program of Teachers Training and Education Faculty of Tanjungpura University
who have accomplished Teaching Learning with ICT Class and their written product
of the blog posting. There are two classes in ICT Class; they are (1) Class A which
consists of 48 students; and (2) Class B which consists of 44 students. It means there
will be 92 students as the sample of this research. After having two classes as the
sample, the researcher will use purposive sampling to choose some students to be
interviewed with some requirements. Jones (2006) stated that the selections of the
students for case studies can be based on a cross range of technology skills as well as
their attitudes and experience about technology and writing whether it is positive,
average, and negative. Thus, after analyzing the questionnaire, the researcher will
select some students who are considered having novice, some experience, and expert
techno literacy; and fairly good, good, and very good English writing ability to be
interviewed and had the blogs observed.

15. What instruments do you plan to collect the data? Why?

The researcher will use questionnaire and do the interview in collecting the data. The
researcher will also browse the students blogs and take some students blog entries to
be analyzed. Questionnaire is used to find out students perception and experience in
using blog along the ICT Class. It is also used to prove the effectiveness of using
blogs for English language learning. Interview is used to gain deeper information to
answer the research questions which have been stated above. Students blog entries
will be useful for the researcher to analyze the writings which have been posted by
students. The survey questionnaire used in this study is a modified questionnaire of
Aljumah (2012), Jones (2006), and Park, Heo, and Lee (2011). The questionnaire is
grouped into three kinds of categories: students demography of techno literacy and
English ability in speaking and writing; personal experiences of using blogs; and
students perception of learning regarding to blogging experiences. The questionnaire
which inquired students experience is developed specifically to probe bloggers
perception of the usefulness of blogging for different types on the four specifications:
Blogging as (1) an acquisition process, (2) a reflection process, (3) an alternative tool
to improve English language learning especially in writing skill, and (4) a practicebased community process. In analyzing the blog entries, the researcher will classify
them by types of postings, whether they are written products, audios, or video/clips.
The information then will be quantified and displayed in charts and tables for
qualitative interpretation. As this study focuses on students blog writing, the
researcher will also analyze the written products on its topics, punctuation, spelling,
and the basic sentence structures. The researcher will use Observation Checklist in
doing the analysis. The analysis of students blog entries will be used to evaluate the
congruity to the students experience in taking the advantages or disadvantages of
using blog in English language learning.
16. Write a model of your (valid) instruments! (see title no 2)

QUESTIONNAIRE
Please answer these questions by giving a tick () to the column.
Purpose for studying
English

Non credit (practicing

Age range

Credit (degree
seeking)
18 25 26 35

Techno Literacy

Novice: little experience or no experience with

English Writing Ability

English skills)
over 35

computers
Some experience: word processing typing and
using the internet to search, and e-mail
Expert: word processing, word processing special
tasks (bullet, boxes, clip art, etc). Internet skills
researching, comparing products, shopping online,
etc.
After several drafts of writing, I would consider
myself:
Fairly Good: I can write, but with many problems
in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

 Good: I can write, but with a few problems in

English Language
Proficiency in Speaking
and Writing

Name
e-mail
Blog

grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Very Good: I can write, but with minimum
problems in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
As an English Language Study Program student, I can
express myself speaking and in writing:
Fairly Good: I can discuss my writing and my
views with others, but with some difficulty.
Good: I can discuss my writing and my views with
others with clarity most of the time.
Very good: I can discuss my writing and my views
with others with clarity.

: __________________________________________________________
: __________________________________________________________
: __________________________________________________________

(Information will be confidential and will not affect your grade)

Please answer these questions by giving a tick () to the column.
1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neutral
Items
1. Blogging can be useful in acquiring
various kinds of knowledge and
information, especially in English
language learning.
2. Blogging can help me develop my own
expertise in English language.
3. Blogging can help me engage more
actively in my fields of interests,
especially as English Language Study
Program student.
4. Blogging can help me experience to
transform my old views to a new one.
5. Blogging can provide me opportunities
to grow by looking back on my own
thoughts, views, and experiences in
English language learning.
6. Blogging can be useful to describe
and/or express my thoughts and
views.
7. Blogging can help me realize the
importance of it as a collective activity
in English language learning.
8. Blogging can make me communicate
with the world and can influence my

4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree
1

English proficiency.
9. Blogging can help me create new
knowledge in English language
learning.
10. Blogging can help me improve my
English
11. Blogging can help me gain new
awareness and set up plans on English
language learning.
12.Blogging can help me realize the
influence of other bloggers on me.
13.Blogging can be useful to build up
some social networks around me.
14.When I write on the blog, I dont worry
about mistakes.
15.Blog is helpful in learning and using
new vocabulary
16.I am more active in checking up
meaning of difficult words in the
dictionary when blogging.
17.Writing on weblog was enjoyable and
interesting.
18.I can express my idea better when
writing on my blog than on paper.
19.In general I feel that my English
grammar has somewhat improved
since I began blogging.
20.I learn more new words when reading
my friends postings.

Please answer these questions. You are welcome to answer either in

English or Indonesia.
Have you had blog before taking ICT Class? IF yes, why did you create the blog?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Do you still use your blog after accomplishing ICT Class? Why, or Why not?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
What kind of blogging activity that can lead you to the process of English
Language Learning? (eg. Drafting, editing/revising the post, visiting your friends
blog, giving comment to others post) and why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

How do you think blogging has affected your reading, writing, and confidence in
writing?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
If you could recommend three things about using blogs what would you suggest?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Modified from Aljumah (2012), Jones (2006), and Park, Heo, & Lee (2011)

17. How do you plan to analyze the data? Why?

-

The data from the questionnaire will be analyzed by using Microsoft Excel
program because the writer will look for the percentage.
In analyzing the blog entries, the researcher will classify them by types of
postings, whether they are written products, audios, or video/clips. The
information then will be quantified and displayed in charts and tables for
qualitative interpretation. As this study focuses on students blog writing, the
researcher will also analyze the written products on its topics, punctuation,
spelling, and the basic sentence structures. The researcher will use Observation
Checklist in doing the analysis. The analysis of students blog entries will be used
to evaluate the congruity to the students experience in taking the advantages or
disadvantages of using blog in English language learning and to find the
effectiveness of utilizing blog in the students writing improvement.

18. Write a model of your steps to analyze the data! (See title no 2)

Collecting the data

Inputting the data to Microsof
Excel
Having the percentage
Describing the analysis

19. How do you differentiate your research topic (S2 level) compared to S1 level?
In S2 level, the theory used must be at least 3 theories of the topic and supported by a
lot of journals. The research findings should be more contributive. The research of S2
level must be relevant and the researcher must be able to link between one part to
another part of the study. The research must be specific, having deep analysis and
current issue since in S2 level we are developing the professionalism.
20. Why is philosophy important to support your research project?
Philosophy is important to support our research project because it is needed to know
certain things in our research, especially considering each specific thing which the
philosophy can tell us about. Philosophy will help us to convey our idea to not only be
more logic, but also contextually appropriate and in line with the ethics. Philosophy
gives us chance to present conceptual knowledge of our study, which it will help us to
clarify the purpose of our study.