ee Sl aa Preparing Research instruments ‘A research instrument is a tool used to gather data on a specific topic of interest. When ‘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 it directly answers or addresses your research questions. It is reliable when it provides you consistent and stable data over a period of time. eres General Guidelines in Preparing an Instrument Follow the given guidelines when preparing an instrument: 1, Doapreliminary research by visiting your library or checking online sources. 2, ‘Talk to a person who is knowledgeable in preparing research instruments. 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. Edityour instrument. 8, Pilot your instrument to further improve its quality. After receiving the feedback from your pilot, make the necessary revisions. fypes of Instrument ‘There are different types of instrument that you can use depending on the type of research and amount of data you need, The following are some of the most common instruments used in conducting a research. Survey + Asurvey contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes, perceptions, and opinions. + Itcontains responses directly related to each specific research question. It can either be 4 in the form of an interview or a questionnaire. @ een irene‘There are three types of question that you can use when conducting a survey: recall, recognition, and open-ended. 1. The recall type of question asks for specific information such as years of service, age, and address. 2. 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. 3. The open-ended type of question elicits brief explanations or impressions from the respondent. Interview fs 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: L Pre-interview stage. It is when an interview guide is prepared and respondents are identified and contacted. Warm-up stage. It is the initial part of the interview when questions that will make respondents more at ease are asked. : Main interview stage. It is when the main questions directly related to the research questions are asked, Closing stage. Itis when questions are asked to wind down the interview and respondents - are acknowledged and thanked. Guidelines when Conducting an Interview de 2. Before the interview, arrange your questions logically to make the flow of the interview smoother. Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose for the interview. Preparing and implementing Research instruments Ge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 respondent Make the length of the interview reasonable. Otherwise, your respondents might get bored or annoyed. 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.acuk/resined/interviews/innovschedule.htm Questionnaire Compared with the interview, a questionnaire is more quantifiable. Itlists 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 ofa 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. Itis 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 for a 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. : Keep the questionnaire as short as possible by focusing only on the essential questions. Ensure confidentiality of information. - Pilot the questionnaire to ensure that you have not missed any important question. Use a follow-up reminder, 9. Give respondents sufficient time to answer the questionnaire. Nouewn ”. 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 guide being redundant. ie, try to make as many questions as possible without 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.You may visit the following link for a sample questionnaire. + https://explorable.com/questionnaire-example Exercise ‘Tick the box before the statement which shows good survey practices. [7] Paulina's research is about sanitary practices in fast-food chains. In her questionnaire, she asks about the love life of her participants. Forher research on teenage drug addiction, Cairo interviews the sari-sari store owner in her barangay. Matthew thanked the respondents in his survey and offered them copies of his completed research months afterwards. ‘Angelo used the data in his interview to blackmail one of his participants. Observation Observation allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or laboratory setting. Usually, this instrument is used to cross-validate the results of other instruments. ‘An observation is most useful when the answers to research questions require description of behavior and setting and when the respondents cannot literally answer interview questions and questionnaire for some valid reasons such as inability to speak and write (e.g, infants).‘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, on the other hand, 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 yee Develop an observation guide or checklist which identifies the phenomenon you want to ‘understand. Decide on the type of observation that you will use. Know your limitations as an observer. Use a recording device when appropriate. Always bring paper and pen with you to record other details which cannot be recorded by avideo or audio recorder. Never attempt to influence the behavior of your subjects. Always observe ethics when implementing an observation instrument.Exercise Tick the box before the statement which shows good observation practices. [1 Diego wanted to conduct a participant observation for his research on alcoholics’ lifestyles so he became an alcoholic. For fear of wasting time, Joro refused to let participants use the bathroom. Sittie thinks that an observation can only be done in a laboratory setting. Joseph conducted a structured observation and he made sure to prepare the list of phenomena he wanted to observe weeks before the actual implementation. 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. D Jide 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. Ensure the safety of everyone involved at all times. 8. Ensure the anonymity of participants. 9. Ensure the confidentiality of all gathered data. Exercise Tick the box before the statement which shows good experiment practices. Ron does not clean the laboratory after his experiment because he assumes the janitor will do it. ‘To make sure that the data is reliable, Ernesto conducted his experiment twice. Luna chatted about the latest trends with her participants while the experiment was ongoing. Deo listed the full name and details of his participants in his final research despite his initial confidentiality guarantee. Now, check the following table for the compar n of their advantages and disadvantages. Instrument es Ens Questionnaire | - least expensive + has the lowest response rate + Least time consuming + does not generally provide + flexible in terms of administration | _oPPortunty for respondents to (oinesroreel clarity questionsitems + may generate more consistent | * requires participants to read and responses write + easier to analyze data + involves more number of participants. Interview + high response rate + time-consuming? + allows probing + expensive + can clorify items tobeasked | - difficult to analyze data + does not require participants to |» requires transcription ead and write tengthily +__can address complex questions Preparing and Implementing Research Instruments @