Measuring instrument is a device

used to quantify and record

information that is important to
a research study (Catane, 2000).
These instruments may be in a
form of interview,
questionnaires, observation or
unobtrusive methods and these
are tools for data collection.
1. Standardized instruments-
a highly refined measurement
procedure, carefully developed
and designed for administration
under carefully-prescribed
conditions for some specific
purpose (Catane, 2000).
Standardized instruments share the
following common properties or
characteristics (Colombo, 1984) as
cited by Portillo et al)

Theirprocedures for scoring have

been carefully prescribed
Formative data (scores obtained from
administration to other groups) have
been prepared
They include estimates of validity
and reliability that are based upon
said experimental research.
Some standardized instruments have
been published and marketed by
public and private enterprise.
Researcher-Developed Instruments
are constructed when standard
instruments cannot match up as tools
for specific research. Some
researcher-developed instruments
are the interview schedule,
observation from, document analysis
form and the questionnaire.
Research instrument places
confidence on the results obtained
and draws correct conclusions.
Research instrument must be valid
and reliable.
1 . Reliability
Refers to the consistency of scores
obtained by the same persons when
they are re examined with the same
test on different occasions or with
different sets of equivalent items or
under other variable examining
conditions (Anastasi & Urbina, 1997)
2. Validity
The validity of test concerns what
the test measures and how well it
does so (Catane, 2000). Thus,
validity refers to the degree in
which a particular instrument is
useful in measuring that which it
is designed to measure.