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Research Instruments

This document discusses research instruments which are tools used to collect data. It describes four main types of instruments: interviews, observation, questionnaires, and scales. Interviews can be structured, unstructured, non-directive, or focused. Observation involves watching subjects as a participant or non-participant. Questionnaires contain questions to be answered in writing. Common question types and characteristics of good instruments are outlined. Scales like Likert and semantic differential are also discussed.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
195 views28 pages

Research Instruments

This document discusses research instruments which are tools used to collect data. It describes four main types of instruments: interviews, observation, questionnaires, and scales. Interviews can be structured, unstructured, non-directive, or focused. Observation involves watching subjects as a participant or non-participant. Questionnaires contain questions to be answered in writing. Common question types and characteristics of good instruments are outlined. Scales like Likert and semantic differential are also discussed.
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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RESEARCH

INSTRUMENTS
Instrument

- generic term that researchers


use for a measurement device
(test, questionnaire, etc.)

- tools for data collection


Instrumentation

- the process of developing,


testing and using the
measurement device.
Example of Research Instrument :

1. INTERVIEW
- a sense of an oral questionnaire.
Instead of writing the response, the
interviewee gives the needed
information orally.
There are four main kinds of interview :
a. Structured Interviews or
Standardized
 are formal interview
because the responses are
recorded on a standardized
schedule.

 characterised as being a closed


interview questions.
• How many years did you work for your
last employer?
• Did you enjoy your job?
• Have you ever worked in a different
industry?
- the interviewer follows a set of
pattern or order of questions on the
interview questionnaire while posing
the questions in a formal manner.
b. Unstructured Interviews or Non-
standardized

 less formal type in which


interviewers ask a sets of
questions but they are freely
modifies the sequence of
questions, changes the wording
and sometimes explains or adds
them during interaction.
- atmosphere is often casual.
Characterised as open interview
questions.

• How would you describe yourself?


• Why do you want to work for this
company?
• What interests you most about this
position?
c. Non-Directive Interview

- gives excessive freedom for the


respondent to express his or her ideas
subjectively and spontaneously.

- No set of questions.
- appropriate type of interview to use
when investigating issues
• Tell me something about yourself

(when answering, keep in mind that the


interviewer interested in knowing your
background, education, experience,
skills, and personal characteristics.)
d. Focus Interview
 also called semi-structured
interview focuses on the
respondent’s subjective responses
and experience on the subject
matter.
• What is your opinion about anti-drug
prevention program?
a. Is it necessary? If yes, elaborate your
answer.
Transcribing

 convert the speech sound into words

 audio-visual recordings on medium


like CD’s and DVD’s have become a
major source of soft data which
researchers rely on during data
collection. It also includes youtube.
2. OBSERVATION

- is one of the very important methods


for obtaining comprehensive data in
research especially when a composite
of both oral and visual data.

- the study of photographs, videotapes,


tape recordings, art objects, computer
software and films belongs with this
type of data collection.
With this instrument, the researcher may
become a:

1. Participant observer

- the researcher lives as a member of the


subjects of the study while observing and
keeping notes of the attributes of the
subject that is being researched.
2. Non-Participant Observer

– In this approach, the researcher does


not live as a member of the subjects of the
study.
- the researcher watches the subjects of
his or her study and not taking an active
part in the situation.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE

- It is a form that contains a set of


questions on a topic or group of topics
designed to be answered by the
respondents.

- form of inquiry document, which


contains a systematically compiled and
well-organized series of questions.
Types of Questions asked in survey
questionnaire:

a. Free-answer type - also called the


open form or open-ended questions,
subjective, unrestricted, essay and
unguided response.

b. Guided Response – also called the


closed form or restricted type.
 Recall type – replies are recalled.
example: Please supply the information
asked for. Age __ Sex ___
Date of birth _____ Place of Birth ___

 Recognition types – The possible


responses are given and respondent
selects his answer. There are 3 types:
a. Dichotomous –There are only two
options and one is selected.
example: Are you married? Yes __or No__
b. Multiple choice – only one answer is
chosen from those given options.
example: What is your highest
educational level?
___ Elementary __ College
___ High School
c. Multiple response – two or more
options may be chosen.
example: Why do you use tooth paste in
brushing your teeth?

___ It prevents tooth decay


___ It freshens the breath
___ It is soothing to the mouth
___ It is imported
___ It is cheap
Wordings of Questions

1. State questions in an affirmative


rather than in a negative manner.

2. Avoid ambiguous questions e.g.


those which contain words like many,
always, usually, few
3. Avoid double negative questions.

Example:
a. Don’t you disagree with the
idea that minors be not allowed to
drink liquors?
b. Aren’t failing students be not
hindered to enrol for the coming
years?
4. Avoid double-barreled questions.
asking two questions in one
questions.

Example:
Do you want to run for the
Student Council and aim to be
valedictorian?
Characteristics of a Good Data-
Collection Instrument

 concise yet able to elicit the


necessary data.
 must be two to four pages.
 maximum time of answering is
10 minutes.
 question is less than 20 words.
 seeks information that cannot
be obtained from other sources
 questions must be arranged in
sequence.
 must be arranged according to
the questions posed in the
statement of the problem
 should pass the validity and
reliability
Scales common used in an
Instrument
1. Likert Scale
- common scaling technique which
consists of several declarative
statements that express a viewpoint on
a topic. The respondents are asked to
indicate how much they agree or
disagree with the statements.
Example: Likert scale to measure
attitudes towards Mathematics

ITEMS
1. I am interested in
SA A D SD
solving numbers
and equations.

2. I find it easy to SA A D SD
memorize formulas.
2. Semantic Differential Scale
- the respondents are asked to rate
concepts in a series of bipolar
adjectives. It has an advantage of
being flexible and easy to construct.
Example: Description of the class president

Competent 5 4 3 2 1 Incompetent
Punctual 5 4 3 2 1 Not punctual
Pleasant 5 4 3 2 1 Unpleasant

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