Q2 Lesson 11: PREPARING RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

Preparing Research Instruments

 A research instrument is a tool used to gather data on a specific topic of interest.
 When a conducting a research, you need to prepare and implement the appropriate instrument to gather
the data you need.
 When preparing an instrument, you must ensure that it is valid and reliable.
An instrument is valid when directly answers or addresses your research questions.
It is reliable when it provides you consistent and stable data over a period of time.

General Guidelines in Preparing an Instrument

1. Do a preliminary research by visiting your library or checking online sources.
2. Talk to a person who is knowledgeable in preparing research instrument.
3. Master the guidelines in preparing and administering each type of instrument.
4. Clarify your research questions. Be sure that your instruments will directly address your specific research
questions.
5. Based on the data you need, decide on the number of people whom you want as respondents or
participants.
6. Prepare the instrument using the appropriate format. Get model instruments, if necessary, you may visit
Google Scholar to get samples of your intended instrument.
7. Edit your instrument.
8. Pilot your instrument to further improve its quality. After receiving the feedback from your pilot, make
the necessary revisions.

Types of Instrument
1. Survey
 A survey contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes, perceptions, and opinions.
 It contains responses directly related to each specific research question. It can either be in the form of an
interview or a questionnaire.

There are 3 types of question that you can use when conducting a survey:
Recall
The recall type of question asks for specific information such as years of service, age, and address.

Recognition
The recognition type of question on the other hand, asks for a response to a specific question where
options are given such as in the case of multiple choice, dichotomous (yes / no), and rating scale format.

Open-ended
The open-ended type of question elicits brief explanations or impressions from the respondent.

2. Interview
 An interview is an instrument that allows the researcher to qualitatively gather data.
 Responses during an interview are usually open-ended.
An interview consists of different stages:
1. Pre-interview stage
- It is when an interview guide is prepared and respondents are identified and contacted.
2. Warm-up stage
- It is the initial part of the interview when questions that will make respondents more at ease are asked.
3. Main interview stage
- It is when the main questions directly related to the research questions are asked.
4. Closing stage
- It is when questions are asked to wind down the interview and respondents are acknowledged and
thanked.
 Guidelines when Conducting an Interview
1. Before the interview, arrange your questions logically to make the flow of the interview smoother.
2. Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose for the interview.
3. Tell the respondents that you will handle the information with utmost confidentiality and care.
4. Have a warm-up stage to make the respondents more comfortable. Questions such as "how was your day"
can be asked for this purpose.
5. Adjust your language to that of the respondents
6. Make the length of the interview reasonable. Otherwise, your respondents might get bored or annoyed.
7. Record the interview because you may need to transcribe the gathered data. However, make sure you
inform or get the approval of the interviewee.
8. Always thank the respondents for their time.
You may visit the following link for a sample interview guide: http://www.eduplymouth.ac.uk/resined/interviews/innovschedule.htm

3. Questionnaire
 Compared with the interview, a questionnaire is more quantifiable.
 It lists written questions to get specific information.
 Responses in a questionnaire are usually dichotomous and use an identification type of test.
 In some cases, open-ended questions are incorporated in the questionnaire.

Parts of a Questionnaire
1. Personal information section
- includes the name (optional), age, date of birth, address, educational background and other personal
information about the respondent. Note that only personal information relevant to the research study should
be asked.
2. Basic questions section
- serves two purposes. The first one is to establish that the person you are asking is the right person for
the study. The second purpose (which is only applicable to interview) is to establish rapport with the
interviewees.
3. Main questions section
- contains questions that are directly related to your research. It is ideal to have multiple questions for
each specific research question. The greater the number of questions, the greater the possibility of more
conclusive results.
4. Open-ended questions section
- asks fora brief explanation or response to an open-ended question.

Guidelines in Preparing a Questionnaire

1. Introduce the questionnaire through a cover letter. The cover letter should explain the purpose and
relevance of the study, the length of time in completing the questionnaire, how the data will be processed,
your contact details, and expected date and time in completing the questionnaire.
2. Keep the questionnaire as short as possible by focusing only on the essential questions.
3. Ensure confidentiality of information.
4. Pilot the questionnaire to ensure that you have not missed any important question.
5. Use a follow-up reminder.
6. Give respondents sufficient time to answer the questionnaire.
7. Make all directions and questions clear and unequivocal; do not use words with double meanings or
complex questions.
8. Ensure that your grammar is correct.
9. Use questions that will elicit objective responses as much as possible.
10. Make the questionnaire as brief as possible without sacrificing content.
11. Arrange and categorize the questions logically (e.g, based on research questions).
12. Relate all questions to your research topic and make sure the responses drawn out are sufficient for your
analysis.
13. In relation to the previous guideline, try to make as many questions as possible without being redundant.
14. Avoid embarrassing, unnecessary questions.
15. Explain and illustrate difficult questions.
16. State all questions affirmatively.
 17. Make the respondents anonymous, if necessary.
18. Avoid biased and leading questions.

4. Observation
 Allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or laboratory setting.
 It is most useful when the respondents cannot literally answer interview questions and questionnaire.

Types of Observation:
 Participant and Non-participant Observation
A non-participant type of observation allows the researcher to observe the subjects without interacting with
them. Hence, the subjects do not know that they are being observed. This type of observation is usually
employed by psychologists when observing animals and children.
A participant observation, on the other hand, allows the researcher to interact actively with the subjects. In
some cases, researchers immerse themselves in a group or community for a long period of time.
 Structured and Unstructured Observation
Structured observation occurs when the researcher has a list of behaviors that he/ she wants to observe.
Unstructured observation occurs when the researcher allows behaviors to emerge. These behaviors are then
documented through an in-depth narrative account.
 Covert and Overt Observation
Covert observation occurs when the subjects are not aware that they are being observed.
Overt observation occurs when the subjects are aware that they are being observed.

Guidelines in Conducting an Observation

1. Develop an observation guide or checklist which identifies the phenomenon you want to understand.
2. Decide on the type of observation that you will use.
3. Know your limitations as an observer.
4. Use a recording device when appropriate.
5. Always bring paper and pen with you to record other details which cannot be recorded by a video or audio
recorder.
6. Never attempt to influence the behavior of your subjects.
7. Always observe ethics when implementing an observation instrument.

5. Experiment
 An experiment is a procedure undertaken scientifically and systematically to make a discovery and to
test hypothesis.
 An experiment can be performed in a laboratory or in natural setting following these steps:
1. Make observations.
2. Develop the hypothesis.
3. Design the experiment.
4 Conduct the experiment. Replicate the experiment to ensure the reliability of the results.
5. Analyze the results.
6. Decide on whether to accept or reject the hypothesis based on the results.

Guidelines in Conducting an Experiment:

1. Always coordinate with a laboratory technician or supervisor when doing an experiment.
2. Make yourself present and accessible during an experiment.
3. Maintain a relaxed and professional atmosphere.
4. Clean the experiment venue (eg, laboratory) as you leave.
5. Never coerce any participants in your experiment.
6. If you need participants in your experiment, let them fill out an informed consent form (ICF) beforehand. It is
a document proving that the participant voluntarily and willingly participated in the experiment.
7. Ensure the safety of everyone involved at all times.
8. Ensure the anonymity of participants.
9. Ensure the confidentiality of all gathered data.
Now, check the following table for the comparison of their advantages and disadvantages.
Instrument Advantages
Questionnaire  least expensive
 least time consuming
 flexible in terms of administration
(online or offline)
 may generate more consistent
responses
 easier to analyze data
 involves more number of
participants
Interview  high response rate
 allows probing
 can clarify items to be asked
 does not require participants to
read and write lengthily
 can address complex questions
Observation  provides direct access to a
phenomenon
 applicable to a wide range of
contexts
 complements other instruments
Experiment  provides control of situation and
variables
 establishes cause and effect
 can be replicated
 yields quantitative data that can
be statistically analyzed
Disadvantages
 has the lowest response rate
 does not generally provide
opportunity for respondents
to clarify questions/items
 requires participants to read
and write
 time-consuming
 expensive
 difficult to analyze data
 requires transcription
 provides no control for
situation
 may be biased
 does not provide data for a
more stable conclusion
 time consuming
 may influence data because
of observer's effects
 may result in an artificial
situation
 prone to experimenter's
effects