Instrument

of the Study

Bucad, Ryan
Christopher D.
 An exciting part of research is personally meeting the
subjects or respondents of the study and reading their
responses through the questionnaires. The task of the
researcher is to devise a way to examine or measure the
variables of interest so that the answers to the problems
can be derived. The decision on what instrument to use is
a very critical issue that determines the validity and
reliability of the findings.
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Documentary
Analysis

This technique is used to analyze primary or secondary

sources that are available mostly in rural health units,
hospitals, or community halls. At times, data are not
available or are difficult to locate. Sometimes, information
gathered may tend to be incomplete or indefinite.
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Interview

The instrument used in this method is the interview schedule. The

skill of the interviewer is necessary to enable the interviewee to
express his/her thoughts clearly. Usually, an interview is conducted
with an individual person, but there are also times when it is
conducted with a group of people (around five to ten) whose
opinions and experiences are solicited simultaneously. This type is
called focus group interview.
 Types of Interview

Unstructured Structured Semi-Structured

The researcher must The conduct of
questioning follows a There is a specific set
be skilled in of questions, but there
conducting the particular progression
and has a well-defined are also additional
interview so that probes that may come
he/she would be able content. The interviewer
does not ask questions in the form of follow-
to steer its course. up questions that are
The interviewer must that are not part of the
questionnaire, but not included in the list
be knowledgeable on of original questions.
the subject or topic of he/she can ask the
discussion. interviewee to clarify
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Observation

This technique or process enables the researcher to participate

actively in the conduct of the research. The instrument is called
observation guide or observation checklist. Observation must be
done in a quiet and inconspicuous manner so as to get realistic data.
In observations, the following should be taken into considerations;

Focus
Method
Concealment
ofofObservation
Recording
 Types of Observation

Structured
The researcher devices a checklist as a data collection tool in which expected
behaviors of interest have been specified. The researcher just records the
frequency of the occurrences of the behavior.

Unstructured
This is performed by the researcher as he/she tries to explain it without any preconceived
ideas about what will be observed. The researcher observes things as they happen.
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Physiological Measures

They involve the collection of physical data from the subjects. They
are considered more accurate and objective than other data
collection methods. However, skills and expertise are needed to
enable the researcher to apply and manipulate the devices used in
the measurement.
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Psychological Tests

They include personality inventories and projective techniques.

Personality inventories are self-report measures to assess the
differences in personality traits, needs, or values of people. They
gather information from a person through questions or statements
that require responses or reactions.
 Examples of Psychological Tests

Minnesota
Multiphasic Projective Edwards Personal
Personality Technique Preference
Inventory Schedules

Rorschach Inkblot Thematic

Test Apperception Test
Most Frequently Used Data Collection Techniques
Questionnaire

It is the most commonly used instrument in research. It is a list of

planned, written questions about a particular topic, with space
provided for the response to each question, intended to be answered
by a number of persons
Questionnaire can be;

It is structured if possible answers are

provided and respondents just have to
select from them.

It is unstructured if no options are

provided and the respondents are
free to answer however they wish.
 Structured
Questionnaire

Male Language Spoken at

Sex Home
Female
Filipino
Reading Materials Used
English
Journal
s
Pocket Magazines
Books
Newspaper
Textbooks
 Items TOM STO
M
UNO
M
NTO
M

1. I am worry that I make too many

grammatical mistakes.

2. I am anxious when I present in front of the

class.

3. It embarrasses me to answer in our oral

communication class.

4. I am afraid that other students will laugh at

me when I speak English.
 Unstructured
Questionnaire
1.Why did you choose teaching as a career?

2.What do you think should be at the forefront

of the curriculum?

3.Tell us the increasingly vital roles of Social

Studies in addressing social issues?
 Relationship of the Reviewed Literature to the
Questionnaire
The reviewed literature, as well as the reviewed
studies, must be rich with information and data to enable
the researcher to thoroughly understand the variables
being investigated in the study. The descriptive
information gathered from the different sources are called
indicators for the specific variable and they are used to
make sure that the content of the questionnaire is valid. An
indicator, to be valid, must be supported by previous
studies done by experts.
 Relationship of the Reviewed Literature to the
Questionnaire

The present findings can found likeness on the

study of Dailey (2017) who emphasized that lack
of confidence can be a major barrier to effective
communication. In addition, the mentioned author
elaborated that shyness and lack of self-worth can
hinder an individual to achieve his or her full
potentials.
 Types of Questions
1. Yes or No Type
Do nurses have the right to refuse on call duties ? ( ) Yes ( ) No

2. Recognition Type
Fixed alternative answers are already provided; the respondents simply choose
among the given choices.

Educational Qualifications
_______ Elementary School Graduate ________ College Graduate
_______ High School Graduate ________ M.A./Ph.D.
_______ Vocational/Technical School Graduate ________ Others
(Please Specify) ______
3. Completion Type
The respondents are asked to fill in the blanks with the necessary
information.

As a teacher, after seeing a misbehavior done by a pupil, I will

________________.

4. Coding Type
Numbers are assigned to names, choices, and other pertinent data.
This entails knowledge of statistics on the part of the researcher, as
statistical formula application is necessary to arrive at the findings.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how will you rate your manager’s skills?

5. Subjective Type
The respondents are free to give their opinions about an issue
of concerns.

What can you say about the government officials who are
deeply committed to their work?

6. Combination Type
This questionnaire is a combinations of two or more type of
questions.
Wordings
of
Questions
State questions in an
Avoid
Avoid
Avoid
ambiguous
double-
double
affirmative rather
negative
barreled
questions
questions
than negative
 Characteristics of a Good Data-Collection
Instrument

It seeks information which cannot be obtained

It
It must
must
from It be
Questions must
also
other be
mustbebearranged
concise
sources easily
yet
like tabulated
arranged
able toaccording
from
elicitthe
documents and to the
simplest
the needed
available at
It should topass
the
validity
most
and
complex.
reliability .
interpreted.
posted questions.
data.
hand.
 Scales Commonly Used In an
Instrument
Likert Scale
A common scaling technique which consists of
several declarative statements that express a
viewpoint in a topic. The respondents are asked to
indicate how much they agree or disagree on the
statements.
 A Likert Scale to Measure Attitudes Towards
Condom Use
Items

1. The use of a condom shows care S A D S

for my partner. A D
2. My partner will respect me upon S A D S
insisting the use of a condom during A D
intercourse.
3. I would be embarrassed to ask my S A D S
partner to use a condom. A D
 A Likert Scale to Measure the Students’ Oral
Communication
Items
1. I am sensitive to other people VS S LS NI
communication style.
2. I speak with sincerity and conviction. VS S LS NI

3. I encourage people to talk and ask VS S LS NI

appropriate questions.
4. I use words that my audience will easily VS S LS NI
understand and remember.
Value Scale Verbal
Interpretation
5 4.50-5.00 Very Satisfactory
4 3.50-4.49 Satisfactory
3 2.50-3.49 Moderate
Satisfactory
2 1.50-2.49 Less Satisfactory
1 1.00-1.49 Needs
Improvement
Value Scale Verbal
Interpretation
5 4.20-5.00 Very Great Extent
4 3.40-4.19 Great Extent
3 2.60-3.39 Moderate Extent
2 1.89-2.59 Low Extent
1 1.00-1.79 No Extent
Value Scale Verbal
Interpretation
5 81% to 100% Completely True
4 61% to 80% Generally True
3 41% to 60% Moderately True
2 21% to 40% Partly True
1 1% to 20% Not All True
 Scales Commonly Used In an
Instrument

Semantic Differential Scale

The respondents are asked to rate
concepts on a series of bipolar subjects.
Description of the Sales Account Executive

Competent 5 4 3 2 1 Incompetent

Punctual 5 4 3 2 1 Not Punctual

Pleasant 5 4 3 2 1 Unpleasant