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
