THESIS REVIEW

THESIS REVIEW

Thesis is a formal scientific paper for a student in accomplishing Magister Program (S2). It is the evidence for him in research and developing one of pedagogical scientific studies. It is written and defended to achieve an academic title of Magister in certain science discipline. To accomplish thesis, one has to do the research to find the results.

Research is scientific way to get data in certain objectives and benefits. Scientific way means that research must be based on rationality, empiric, and systematic (Sugiyono: 2006). Rationality is logic and reasonable. Empiric is that the method perceived by human brain, so human can observe it.

All researches should possess two necessary characteristics (Young: 2003). They are substance and form. Substance refers to the content of the research; it is mostly dependent on the researcher’s field of specialization. On the other hand, form refers to how the research is written, it includes language and format. Particular attention should be given to correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, sentence construction, proper indention and spacing. 

A.   The Title of Thesis

The research title, in essence, is the “summarized form of the research itself (Young: 2003). It can be expressed in a number of ways. It is generally written in phrase form, not in sentence. The objective of research title is to catch the attention and interest of reader. Research title must be simple, clear, specific and complete

In this respect, the title which I would like to review is “The Implementation of Conference in the Process of Writing at EFL Classroom: A Qualitative Study at LBPP-LIA BANDUNG”

In my point of view, it is quite clear, specific, concise, and complete. It represents the whole part of thesis.

B.   The Purpose of Study

The clear purpose of research is the key of success (Syamsudin and Damaianti: 2006). It is a foundation for every stage in research from the beginning to the gaining findings.  

This study intends to as follows:

1.      Describe the implementation of Conference in the Process of Writing at EFL Classroom

2.      Discover and document the process as well as the perceived results of the use of feedback through conference at Advanced 4 program in LB LIA BANDUNG.

3.      Attempt to lead students to areas of improvement.

4.      Explore ho teachers in their writing class carried out the use of conference in their teaching and learning activities.

I see the purposes are quite clear in elaborating the topic that will be discussed.

C.   Research Question

It is a clear definition of a question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution. It is the research title written in sentence form (Young: 2003). Generally expressed in a declarative statement, it is commonly referred to as the main problem.

The research questions in this thesis, in general, investigate how the process of writing and conference takes place. The inquiry is guided by the following general questions:

1. What kinds of teaching and learning activities take place in writing classroom?
2. What happens during conference?
3. What are teachers’ and students’ perception towards conference?
4. What will be teachers and students’ expectation towards conference?

I believe that these questions describe the main problem within this thesis. They encompass the whole problem which will be discussed in this thesis. Hence, these questions become a guide for this research (Alwasilah: 2006).

D.  The qualitative research design

This thesis applied a naturalistic qualitative research method which has some characteristics (Alwasilah: 2006). ; Namely:

e  Grounded theory

e  Natural

e  Small sample

e  Researcher as core instrument, interview, observation

e  Inductive

e  Comprehensive, holistic

e  Propositional and tacit

e  Used analytic pattern.

Meanwhile Sugiyono (2005) said that Qualitative research method is a research method which used to observe natural objects where a researcher becomes a key instrument. Technique of collecting data is done by triangulation, inductive analysis data, and it emphasizes on meaning rather than generalization. It is natural setting.

E.    Collecting Data

In conducting the research, the researcher documented the writing process, the conferences and the teachers and students’ perception and expectation, he used himself as the main instrument, he used videotape for observing the teaching and learning activities as well as the facial expression during conference to help gain accurate data. He used also questionnaires and interview to investigate teachers and students’ perception as well as expectations on conference to obtain the data. And finally, he also collected documents such as syllabus, handouts, and students’ composition. In my opinion this enough detail and sufficient.

F.    Analyzing Data

In this research, he applied inductive analytical approach. The analyses are tentative and provisional throughout the study and only become comprehensive once the data is completely collected. Therefore, he began by presenting facts or general statements from the obtained data to the conclusion.

First of all, he observed the activities in the classroom, especially the conference by using a video tape and wrote some field notes. Secondly, He read the transcribed conference, interview transcript, field notes/journal, questionnaires, and other documents. Finally he categorized and coded the data.

G.  The Result

The results were credible. He can infer that the teachers and students’ problem with regard to conference also involved the management of LBPP-LIA. Therefore, the three parties: students, teachers and institution should sit together to over come the problem.

They are educationally important since they can be a model for another institution, in particular, conference in the process of writing.

H.  The conclusion

He came to the conclusion that conference is very important to be part of writing process since it will bring numerous advantages both for students and teachers. It is also important that the students and teachers pay attention to the conference strategies and techniques in order to create a better conference.

In my point of view, the findings of the study are transferable to other educationally setting, such as reading, speaking, and listening. The implementation of conference can be applied in reading, speaking, and listening.

  

References:

& Alwasilah, A. Chaedar. 2006. Pokonya Kualitatif . Jakarta: Pustaka Jaya.

& AR. Syamsuddin. And Damaianti, Vismaia S.2006 Metode Penelitian Pendidikan Bahasa. Bandung: SPS UPI dan PT Remaja Rosdakarya.

& Sugiyono.2005. Memahami penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta.

& Young, C. Felina. 2003. Fundamentals of Research Writing made easy. Davao City, Philippines: Khanser Publishing House.