RESEARCH

INSTRUMENT
WHAT IS RESEARCH INSTRUMENT?

It is a tool used to gather

data on a specific topic of
interest.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
INSTRUMENT
SURVEY
 It 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 QUESTION FOR
SURVEY
 RECALL- type of questions asks for specific
information such as years in service, age and
address.
 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.
 OPEN-MINDED- type of question that elicits brief
explanation or impressions from the respondents.
INTERVIEW
Itis an instrument that allows
the researcher to qualitatively
gather data. Responses during
an interview are usually open-
minded.
Different Stages Of Interview
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 make the 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- It is when questions
are asked to wind down the
interview and respondents are
acknowledged and thanked.
GUIDELINES WHEN CONDUCTING AN
INTERVIEW
 Before the interview arrange the questions
logically to make the flow of the interview
smoother.
 Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose
for the interview.
 Tell the respondents that you will handle the
information with utmost confidentiality and
care.
 Have a warm-up stage to make the respondents
more comfortable.
 Adjust your language to the respondents.
 Makethe 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.
 Always thank the respondents for their
time.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Itlists written questions to get
specific information. Responses in
the questionnaire are usually
dichotomous and use
identification type of test. In
some cases, open- minded
questions are incorporated in the
questionnaire.
 PARTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
PERSONAL INFORMATION SECTION-
includes the name (optional), age,
date of birth, address, educational
background and other personal
information about the respondents.
Note that only personal information
relevant to the research study should
be asked.
BASIC QUESTION SECTION- It
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.
MAIN QUESTIONS SECTION- It
contains question 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.
OPEN- ENDED QUESTIONS
SECTION- Asks for a brief
explanation or response to
an open- ended questions.
OBSERVATION
It allows the description of
the behaviour in a naturalistic
or laboratory settings. 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
behaviour 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, allows the
researcher to interact actively with the
subjects. In some case, 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 behaviours that
he/she wants to observe.
*Unstructured observation occurs when the
researcher allows behaviours to emerge. These
behaviours 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.
EXPERIMENT
It 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.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
QUESTIONNAIRE
ADVANTAGES
• LEAST EXPENSIVE
• LEAST TIME CONSUMING
• FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF
ADMINISTRATION (ONLINE OR OFFLINE)
• MAY GENERATE MORE
CONSISTENT RESPONSES
• EASIER TO ANALYZE DATA
• INVOLVES MORE NUMBER
OF PARTICIPANTS
DISADVANTAGES
HAS THE LOWEST RESPONSE RATE
DOES NOT GENERALLY PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPONDENTS TO
CLARIFY QUESTIONS/ ITEMS
REQUIRES PARTICIPANT TO READ AND
UNITE
 ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEW
ADVANTAGES
HIGH RESPONSE RATE
ALLOWS PROBING
CAN CLARIFY ITEMSTO BE ASKED
DOES NOT REQUIRE PARTICIPANTS TO READ
AND WRITE LENGTHLY
CAN ADDRESS COMPLEX QUESTIONS
DISADVANTAGES
TIME-CONSUMING
EXPENSIVE
DIFFICULT TO ANALYZE DATA
REQUIRES TRANSCRIPTION
 ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF OBSERVATION
ADVANTAGES
PROVIDES DIRECT ACCESS TO A
PHENOMENON
APPLICABLE TO A WIDE RANGE OF
CONTEXTS
COMPLEMENTS OTHER INSTRUMENT
DISADVANTAGES
PROVIDES NO CONTROL FOR SITUATION
MAY BE BIASED
DOES NOT PROVIDE DATA FOR A MORE
STABLE CONCLUSION
TIME-CONSUMING
MAY INFLUENCE DATA BECAUSE OF
OBSERVER’S EFFECTS
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF EXPERIMENT
ADVANTAGES
PROVIDES CONTROL OF SITUATION
AND VARIABLES
ESTABLISHES CAUSE AND EFFECTS
CAN BE REPLICATED
YIELDS QUANTITATIVE DATA THAT CAN
BE STATISTICALLY ANALYZED
DISADVANTAGES
MAY BE RESULT IN AN ARTIFICIAL
SITUATION
PRONE TO EXPERIMENT’S EFFECT