Lesson 11

PREPARING AND
IMPLEMENTING
RESEARCH
INSTRUMENTS
 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.
 BELOW ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES IN
PREPARING RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS:
1. Do a preliminary research by visiting
your library or checking online
sources.
2. Ask for advice from 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 and demographics of
the people whom you want as
respondents or participants.
6. Use the appropriate format for your
instrument. 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
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
A survey contains prepared 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 three types of
question that you can use
when conducting a survey:
recall, recognition, and
open-ended.
 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.
 INTERVIEW
It is an instrument that allows the
researcher to qualitatively
gather data. Questions during an
interview are usually open-
ended. An interview consists of
different stages.
 PRE-INTERVIEW STAGE
It is when the interviewer arranges
his/her questions logically and
prepares an interview guide to
smoothen the flow of the actual
interview. This is also the stage when
the interviewer identifies and
contacts the interviewee.
 WARM-UP STAGE
It is the initial part of the interview when the
interviewer makes his/her introductions,
states the purpose of the interview, and
assures the interviewee that he/she will
handle any information shared with utmost
confidentiality. The interviewer also asks
questions that will make the interviewee
more at ease, such as “How was your day?”
 MAIN INTERVIEW STAGE
It is when the interviewer
asks the main questions
directly related to his/her
research questions.
 CLOSING STAGE
It is when the interviewer
asks questions meant to
wind down the interview.
He/She also acknowledges
and thanks the interviewee.
 QUESTIONNAIRE
Compared with the interview, a
questionnaire is more quantifiable. It
contains written questions that ask for
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. It
includes the name (optional), age, date
of birth, address, educational
background, and other personal
information of the respondent. Note
that only personal information relevant
to the research study should be asked.
PARTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
2. Basic questions section. It serves
two purposes; to establish that the
person you are asking is the right
person for the study and: to
establish rapport with the
interviewees (applicable only for
interviews).
PARTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
3. Main questions section. It 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.
PARTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
4. Open-ended questions
section. It requires a brief
explanation or response
to an open-ended
question.
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 the
expected date and time for completing
the questionnaire.
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
2. Keep the questionnaire as
short as possible by focusing
only on the essential
questions.
3. Ensure confidentiality of
information
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
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
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
7. Make all directions and
questions clear and unequivocal;
do not use complex questions
and words with double meanings.
8. Ensure that your grammar is
correct.
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
9. Use questions that will elicit
objective responses as much as
possible.
10. Arrange and categorize the
questions logically (e.g., based on
research questions).
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
11. Relate all questions to
your research topic and
make sure the responses
drawn out are sufficient for
your analysis.
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
12. Try to make as many
questions as possible.
However, avoid being
redundant and make sure that
all your questions are relevant.
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
13. Avoid embarrassing and
unnecessary questions.
14. Explain and illustrate
difficult questions.
15. State all questions
affirmatively.
PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE
16. Make the respondents
anonymous, if necessary.
17. Avoid biased and
leading questions.
 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 questionnaires for
valid reasons such as the inability
to speak and write (e.g., infants).
1.
TYPES OF
Participant
OBSERVATION
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 is usually employed by
psychologists when observing animals and
children.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
1. Participant and Non-Participant
Observation
• 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.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
2. Structured and Unstructured
Observation
• Structured observation
occurs when the researcher
has a list of behaviors that
he/she wants to observe.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
2. Structured and Unstructured
Observation
• Unstructured observation, on the
other hand, occurs when the researcher
allows behaviors to emerge naturally.
These behaviors are then documented
through an in-depth narrative account.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
3. Covert and Overt
Observation
• Covert observation occurs
when the subjects are not
aware that they are being
observed.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
3. Covert and Overt
Observation
• Overt observation occurs
when the subjects are aware
that they are being observed.
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.
CONDUCTING AN OBSERVATION
3. Know your limitations
as an observer.
4. Use a recording
device when
appropriate.
CONDUCTING AN OBSERVATION
5. Always bring paper and
pen with you to record
other details which
cannot be recorded by a
video or audio recorder.
CONDUCTING AN OBSERVATION
6. Never attempt to influence
the behavior of your
subjects.
7. Always observe ethics
when implementing an
observation instrument.
 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
5. Replicate the experiment to
ensure the reliability of the
results.
6. Analyze the results.
7. Decide on whether to accept
or reject the hypothesis based
on the results
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.
CONDUCTING AN EXPERIMENT
3. Maintain a relaxed and
professional atmosphere.
4. Clean the experiment venue
(e.g., laboratory) as you leave.
5. Never coerce any participants
in your experiment.
CONDUCTING AN 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.
CONDUCTING AN 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.