RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS AND DATA COLLECTION

(KIDS OF INSTRUMENTS, USES OF INSTRUMENTS)

This Paper is made to fulfill the assignment

“Quantitative Research Methodology“

Lecturer:

Dr. Sri Wahyuni, M.Pd.

Arranged by:

Elfa Almania (932209716)

Miftakhul Jannah (932209818)

Binti Isnatun Hamidah (932211318)

Class E

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
 FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND TEACHERS TRAINING

STATE INSTITUTE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES (IAIN) KEDIRI

2020

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the paper

In this world of education, research is important for students, literature review is

importantneeded to provide a solid foundation as to why we chose a particular title. This
papermay be of use to us in preparing for a literature review. Therefore, here we try to
describeonly about the nature of related literature, types of sources, literature search
steps,literature function, literature research reports.Research instruments are a prerequisite for
the formation of quality research.

This research instrument itself is also needed in every scientific research, both theses,
theses, dissertations, papers, and so on.The research instrument is an aspect of data collection
carried out in scientific research. The results of this research instrument are then developed or
analyzed in accordance with the research method to be taken. In quantitative research using a
questionnaire or questionnaire research instrument.

B. Purpose of The Paper

1. Understand the meaning of research instruments and data collection.
2. Knowing several kinds of instruments.
3. Knowing the use of the instrument.
 DISCUSSION

1. Research Instruments and Data Collection

The definition of a research instrument in general is a tool used by researchers to
measure or collect quantitative and qualitative information as processing materials
with respect to the measuring object being studied.These are the fact finding
strategies. They are the tools for data collection. They includeQuestionnaire,
Interview, Observation and Reading. Essentially the researcher must ensurethat the
instrument chosen is valid and reliable. The validity and reliability of any
researchproject depends to a large extent on the appropriateness of the instruments.
The Quantitative data collection methods rely on random sampling and structured
data collectioninstruments that fit diverse experiences into predetermined response
categories. They produceresults that are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize.
If the intent is to generalize from theresearch participants to a larger population, the
researcher will employ probability sampling toselect participants.
Data collection is a significant factor in social scientific research and, by
extension, in empirical communication research. Arising from the background of
specific theoretical assumptions or from a set of existing research findings,
investigating a social phenomenon mostly depends on adequate and representative
sample of observations in order to generate evidence from different points of view on
the phenomenon (Babbie, 2001, pp.20-22).
- Accurate and systematic data collection is critical to conducting scientific
research.
- Data collection allows us to collect information that we want to collect about
our study objects.
- Depending on research type, methods of data collection include: documents
review, observation, questioning, measuring, or a combination of different
methods.
2. Kinds of Instruments
a. Questionnaire
Questionnaire is the commonly used instruments for collecting research data from
the participant of the research. Questionnare consist of a set of structured and
unstructured questions designed by the researcher to obtain data from the respondent.
The use of this instrument are to get the data about beliefs and opinion. The strenghts of
 questionnaire are can collect the data from a number of respondent or a large number of
data source, the data collected from will be easy to analyze and the respondent will have
the freedom to answer each question according to their beliefs
b. Observation
Observation is technique of collecting the data by observing directly or indirectly
about the thing. Obsrvation also an instrument that is employed by a researcher in which
an individual behaviour or situation is observed and recorded. The strenght of this
instrument is the researcher do not need to worry about bias because here the researcher
can see and hear directly about the object being observed.
c. Interview
Interview is a measurement instrument as known as oral questionnare. It involves a
process where a researcher collect the information from the respondent through verbal
interaction or dialogue. The use of interview are to get the data about beliefs and opinion.
The strenghts of this instrument are more flexibel than questionnaire, it can be use in
various research problem and it can be used for different types of people like illiterate
people or children who cannot read and write. Interview produce a more accurate level of
response than questionnairem especialy for topics involving personal qualities or
feelings.
d. Test
Test is kind of measurement instrument. It a process where a researcher collect the
data from a series of questions, it can be writen or oral questions. The use of the test are
to know students’ achievement, ability, talent, skill. The strenghts of the test are more
accuurate because the test can be revised repeteadly and the test is objective research
instrument

3. The use of The Instrument

Steps required to design and administer a questionnaire:

1. Defining the Objectives of the Study

The fisrt step in developing observation is determine the variable will be observed.
Begin from the research problem or question, the variable that need to be observed is
recorded. If the problem or question is too general, so that the researcher must narrow the
purpose to obtain specific variable that can be observed.
 • A questionnaire should allow us to collect the most complete and accurate data in a
logical flow.

 This is done in order to reach reliable conclusions from what we are planning to
observe.
• A well-designed questionnaire should meet the research goal and objectives and
minimize unanswered questions—a common problem bound to many surveys.

2. Define the target respondents and methods to reach them

• The researcher should clearly define the target, study populations from which she/
he collects data and information.

• Main methods of reaching the respondents are: personal contact, group of focus
interview, mail-based questionnaires, telephone interview.

3. Writing the Questionnaire

• Before writing the questionnaire researcher shoulddecide on the questionnaire

content.

• Each question should contribute to testing one ormore hypothesis/ research question
established in the research design.

Questions could be:

• Open format questions that are without a predetermined set of responses.

• Closed format questions that take the form of a multiple-choice question.

4. Writing the Questionnaire (Cont)

Points to be considered when writing and interpreting questionnaires:

• Clarity (question has the same meaning for all respondents)

• Phrasing (short and simple sentences, only one piece of information at a time, avoid
negatives if possible, ask precise questions, in line with respondent level of
knowledge…)
 • Sensitive question: keen attention to approaches in formulating questions that could
be embarrassing to respondents.
• Hypothetical Questions should be at avoided if possible.

5. Questionnaire pilot testing

• The major challenge in questionnaire design is to make it clear to all respondents.

• In-order to indentify and solve the confusing points, we need to pre-test the
questionnaire.

• During the pilot trial: the questionnaireparticipants should be randomly selected

from the study population.

REFERENCES

Babbie, E.(2001). The practice of social research. 9th edition. Australia, Wardsworth.

Creswell J.W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating

Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Fourth Edition. University of Nebraska–Lincoln.