AN ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS IN WRITING THESES ABSTRACTS FACED BY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS GRADUATED IN 2019 AT BUNG HATTA UNIVERSITY

Abstrak

INTRODUCTION Writing is one of the important skills to be mastered because it helps people to share opinions in written form [1]. By writing skill, someone can express her ideas, imagination, thoughts, feeling and even her experiences into written form [2]. Also in the thesis writing, we need this skill in order that the readers know our research. To make the readers understand quickly about our research they can read an abstract. Abstract is a short explanation about what the researcher wanted to research. A good abstract should explain the background of the research, the method that the researcher used, the results of the research, and the implications or conclusions of the research. An abstract is like a mini paper. It accurately summarizes all sections of your paper [3]. Based on the researcher’s observation at the Bung Hatta University library, the researcher found some problems in theses abstracts. Relating to this, the researcher conducted the study on problems in writing theses abstracts faced by English Department students graduated in 2019 at Bung Hatta University. METHOD This research belongs to a descriptive research because it describes the current status the research subject [4]. The population of this research was the students of English Department graduated in 2019 at Bung Hatta University. The number of sample was 30 students taken by total sampling technique. The data were recorded in a table of checklist and they were analyzed by using the following steps: the researcher counted the students who had problems, the researcher counted the student’s problem index, the researcher classified students’ problems into three levels (low, moderate, high). FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION Based on the results of data analysis, it was found that the students of English Department graduated in 2019 had problems in writing the theses abstracts. It was shown by the average problem index (0.2418) and it is categorized into low level. Specifically, first, the students had problems in writing the background of the research in the theses abstracts, and its average problem index was 0.61 (moderate level). Table 1. The Problems in Writing the Background of the Research in the Theses Abstracts Faced by English Department Students Graduated in 2019 at Bung Hatta University No Types of Problem Problem Index Level of Problem 1. Inappropriate background 0.86 High 2. Unclear objective 0 Low 3. Unclear problem 0.98 High Average 1.84/3= 0.61 Moderate Second, the students had problems in writing the method of the research in the theses abstracts, and its average problem index was 0.2825 (low level). Table 2. The Problems in Writing the Method of the Research in the Theses Abstracts Faced by English Department Students Graduated in 2019 at Bung Hatta University No Types of Problem Problem Index Level of Problem 1. Unclear method 0.3 Low 2. Unclear subject 0 Low 3. Unclear data collection 0.03 Low 4. Unclear data analysis 0.8 High Average 1.13/4= 0.2825 Low Third, the students had no problems in writing the results of the research in the theses abstracts. Then, the students had problems in writing the conclusions or implications of the research in the theses abstracts, and its average problem index was 0.075 (low level). Table 3. The Problems in Writing the Conclusions or Implications of the Research in the Theses Abstracts Faced by English Department Student Graduated in 2019 at Bung Hatta University No Types of Problem Problem Index Level of Problem 1. Inappropriate conclusions or implication 0 Low 2. Unclear conclusions or implication 0.15 Low Average 0.15/2= 0.075 Low CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION In line with the results of data analysis above, it can be concluded that the average problem index to write theses abstracts faced by English Department students graduated in 2019 belonged to low level. Dealing with such conclusion, it is suggested to the lecturers to continue guiding the students to write the theses abstracts based on thesis guide book issued by English Department of Bung Hatta University. The students are suggested to keep paying attention to the rules in writing the theses abstracts and learn more how to write a good theses abstracts, so they can avoid similar problems when writing future theses abstracts. Keywords: Problems, Writing, Theses Abstracts THANK YOU NOTE There are a lot of people who have helped and given motivation, advice and support to the researcher in writing this thesis. Therefore, the researcher would like to express her deepest gratitude and appreciation to advisors: Dr. Lely Refnita, M. Pd as the first advisor and Dr. Drs. H. Welya Roza, M. Pd as the second advisor who have helped the researcher in writing this thesis by giving guidance, suggestions and correction patiently. The researcher also thanks her beloved parents, Eti Suharyanti and Armansyah for their fully support, motivation, and prayer to the researcher in writing the thesis, and her gratitude also goes to her sister Chairati Arman, S.Pd. The researcher presents her sincere appreciation to Drs. Khairul, M. Sc as the Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Dr. Syukma Netti, M. Si as the Vice Dean, Dra. Ernati, M. Pd as the Head of English Department, Lailatul Husna, S. Pd., M. Pd as the Secretary of English Department and all the lecturers who have taught and guided the researcher during studying at the English Department of Bung Hatta University. The researcher is very grateful to have a close friend who always gives support. The appreciation goes to Nuralita for her help and support in this research.