HANDOUTS IN EAPP

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 provide you consistent and stable data over a
period of time.

General Guideline in Preparing an Instrument

Follow the given guidelines when 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 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. 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.

Three Types of Questions when conducting a Survey

a. Recall Type of Question asks for specific information such as years of service, age, and address.
b. Recognition Type of Question 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.
c. 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 has different stages:
a. Pre-interview Stage. It is when an interview guide is prepared and respondents are identified and contacted.
b. Warm-up Stage. It is the initial part of the interview when questions that will make respondents more at ease are asked.
c. Main Interview Stage. It is when the main questions directly related to the research questions are asked.
d. Closing Stage. It is when questions are asked to wind down the interview and respondents are acknowledged and thanked.

Guidelines in Conducting and 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 of 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.

3. Questionnaire
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. Open-ended questions are sometimes incorporated in the questionnaire.

Parts of a Questionnaire
a. 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.
b. Basic Question 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.
c. 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.
d. Open-Ended Question 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.
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 to 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
Observation allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or laboratory setting. Usually, this instrument is used to cross-validate the
result of other instruments. It 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:
A. Participant vs 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.
b. Participant observation allows the researchers to interact actively with the subjects. In some cases, researchers immerse
themselves in a group or community for a long period of time.
B. Structured and Unstructured Observation
a. Structured observation occurs when the researcher has a list of behaviors that he/she wants to observe.
b. Unstructured observation occurs when the researcher allows behaviors to emerge. These behaviors are then documented
through an in-depth narrative account.
C. Covert and Overt Observation
a. Covert Observation occurs when the subjects are not aware that they are being observed.
b. 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 recorder 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 a 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 (e.g. laboratory) as you leave.
5. Never coerce any participant in your experiment.
6. If you need participants I your experiment, let them fill out an informed consent form (ICF) beforehand. It is a document that the
participants voluntarily and willingly participated in the experiment.
7. Ensure the safety of everyone involved at all times.
8. Ensure anonymity of participants.
9. Ensure the confidentiality of all gathered data.