Abstrak
The purpose of the research was to reveal the significant impact of implementing the role-based jigsaw method on seventh-grade students' reading comprehension at SMPN 1 Tarakan. This research employed one group pretest-posttest design and involved 32 students from Class VII-3. Data were collected through multiple-choice reading comprehension tests administered before and after the intervention. The results showed that students' average scores increased from 57.81 on the pre-test to 77.66 on the post-test. A paired t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores (t=-14.248, df=31, p0.001). Therefore, the null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis (H.) was accepted. Students were seen discussing the assigned reading passages in Expert Groups and sharing their understanding in Home Groups while carrying out the cognitive and functional roles assigned to them. The N-Gain effectiveness score of 47% indicates that the implementation of this method is categorized as "Less Effective" based on the effectiveness criteria used. However, because this research employed one group pretest-posttest design without a control group, these findings must be interpreted within the limitations of the research design and do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Through the division of cognitive and functional roles within the group, students are encouraged to actively participate in text comprehension, discussions, taking responsibility for tasks, and sharing information with other group members. Based on the research findings, English teachers are advised to implement the role-based jigsaw method as an alternative reading instruction strategy that can encourage student engagement and improve comprehension. Future researchers are advised to use a more comprehensive research design, such as including a control group and extending the duration of the intervention, in order to obtain optimal and in-depth results.