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Research Procedures
1.10 Procedures
This section gives details about
the research design, the sample population selected; the tools used the data collected and the procedures of data analysis and
interpretation.
1.10.1 Research Design
This study uses more than one research procedure. The
Survey type is used for analyzing the needs of the learners and for obtaining information about the present way of teaching and testing writing
in schools. The experienmental design is used fort the try-out of the new techniques and materials on a representative sample.
1.10.2 The sample
Class IX pupils of four secondary schools in Gujarat were identified for the try-out on the battle of random selection, for the try out.
These schools represent the average rural and urban schools of Gujarat. In each school two classes were selected and after the procedures of
equalization by means of a leveling test, two groups of 30 learners each were selected for purposes of comparison. One group was treated as
the controlled group and was taught through the conventional techniques and the other was considered as the experimental group where the new
techniques and materials were used.
1.10.3 Tools
The tools used in the study include a questionnaire (supplemented by interview and report writing by teachers) and three tests. A leveling
test was used for purposes of equaling two comparable groups, a pre-test was administered (to all the groups) before the try-out and a post test
was administered after the try-out. The questionnaire and tests were piloted before finalizing. The tests were validated by
item-analysis.
1.10.4 Materials
Preparing materials for the experimental began with identifying the language content to be taught. This had to be decided keeping in mind
the level at which the try-out was to be carried out. Having decided that the experiment would be carried out at class IX level the
language content was selected from their syllabuses and course book. The language content was the same for both the controlled and
experimental groups. But for the experimental group new materials were prepared based on the structural and vocabulary items taught in the
controlled group, related to the theme of the course book lessons. Based on these materials, a set of writing tasks and a set of strategies
of presentation were devised.
1.10.5 Treatment
Having identified two comparable groups in each of the four schools, after the procedures of equalization, one groups was taught through the
conventional techniques (controlled group) and the other was taught through the new techniques and materials (experimental group). Both the
groups were given a pre-test before the try-out and a post-test after the try-out.
1.10.6 Techniques and Tasks
Based on the new techniques devised for the experimental group, a number of tasks were worked out which involved an element of information gap so
to activate the thinking processes of the learners. The main techniques tried out were as follows :
(a) Open your dairy.
(b) Know your friend
(c) Ask and be organized
(d) Get together and read
(e) Note-down, please.
(f) Precisely yours
(g) Say how you feel
1.10.7 Data collection, Analysis and
Interpretation
The data collected through the teacher’s questionnaire, interview and reports were analysed to draw conclusions about the needs of the learners
with respect to written English, and about the present practices of teaching and testing writing. Analysis of the classroom procedures and
the written work produced by the learners were also undertaken to work out the difference between the conventional and experimental
techniques. The data collected through tests were analysed statistically to find out if the new techniques and materials have been
effective. For this the mean and standard deviation were calculated for all the croups. The ‘T’ and ‘Z’ scores as well as the coefficient
of variation were calculated.
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