INCREASING STUDENT’S RESEARCH WRITING BY APPLYING RESEARCH BASED INSTRUCTION

Abstract

Recently, a promising model of teaching and learning is an engagement ofstudents andteacher into theory and practice of learning. Doing a more theoreticaland discussion models of learning are good to make students understand a topic,but in contrast they are not good in practice. A combination of less theoretical andmore practical model of learning, called research-based learning, which allowsstudents to learn things in practice and to train them to analyze and criticizesituations deeply, was developed to help students learning various topics based onresearches and practice their critical analysis. This study focused on theinvestigation to see students experience in learning writing skills through theapplication ofresearch based instruction and see how the model of learning givesthem chance to finishtheir Skripsi (a research project conducted as a prerequisiteof a bachelor degree). Subjects in this study were 60 EFL students enrolled in theSeminar on Language class at English Department of the Faculty of Letters andCultures in Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. By applying an action research method,students showed significant changes in critical learning performance. Theinvestigation included 2 systematic cycles – Planning, Action, Observation, andReflection. The results of the study showed that the application of RBI washelpful for the students to help them finishing their final project (the Skripsi),particularly for students of English Department. Most students perceivedpositively toward the Research based Instruction in the learning process.