PREPARING RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS #teachers #student #seniorhigh

 Guidelines in Preparing a Research Instrument

Research Instrument 

 - A tool used to gather data on a specific topic of interest

 - Must be valid and reliable

VALID – must directly answer or address the research question

RELIABLE – provides consistent and stable data over a period of time

Guidelines in Preparing a Research Instrument

1. Do preliminary research.

2. Make sure the instruments match  or directly address the specific research questions.

3 . Decide on the number of people as respondents.

4. Prepare the instrument using the proper format. Get model instruments.

5.  Edit your instrument.

6. Pilot your instrument to improve its quality. 

7. Revise after receiving feedback from the pilot test.

Types of Research Instruments

SURVEY 

•  Contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes, perceptions and opinions
•  Could be in a form of an interview or a questionnaire

3 TYPES OF QUESTIONS IN A SURVEY:

• Recall Type – asks for specific information such as age, address etc.
• Recognition type – asks for a response to a specific question ( with options)
• Open-ended type – elicits brief explanations or impressions from the respondent

INTERVIEW

•  An instrument that allows the researcher to qualitatively gather data.
•  Responses are usually open – ended. 

Stages of an Interview

1. Pre- interview stage 

•  interview guide is prepared
•  identifying and contacting respondents

2. Warm – up stage

•  light questions are asked to make respondents feel at ease

3. Main interview stage

• Main questions directly related to research questions are asked

4. Closing stage

• Questions are asked to wind down the interview
• Respondents are acknowledged and thanked.

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Lists written questions to get specific information
• responses are dichotomous and use an identification type of test

Parts of a Questionnaire

1. Personal Information Section

• Includes the name (optional), age, date of birth, address, educational background and other personal information about the respondent. This should include only personal information related to the research study.

2. Basic Questions section

• Establishes that the respondent is the right person for the study
• Establish rapport with the respondents

3. Main Questions section

• Contains questions directly related to your research

4. Open –ended questions section

• Asks for a brief explanation or response to an open ended question

Guidelines in Preparing a Questionnaire

• 1. Introduce the questionnaire with a cover letter. This should explain the purpose and relevance of the study, length of time in completing the questionnaire, how the data will be processed, and  contact details of the researchers. 
• 2. Keep the questionnaire as short as possible by focusing only on the essential questions.
• 3. Avoid biased and leading questions.
• 4. Make all directions and questions clear. 
• 5. Relate all questions to the research topic.
• 6. State all questions affirmatively.

OBSERVATION

• Allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or laboratory setting
• Used to cross-validate other instruments
• Most useful when the respondents cannot literally answer interview questions and questionnaire for some valid reasons such as inability to read and write ( example infants)

Types of Observation

 1. Non - participant observation 

• Allows the researcher to observe the subjects without interacting with them.
• Subjects do not know they are being observed
• Used by psychologists in observing animals and children

2. Participant observation

• Allows the researcher to interact actively with the subjects

3. Structured observation

• the researcher has a list of behaviors that he/she wants to observe

4. Unstructured observation

• the researcher allows behaviors to emerge. These behaviors are then documented through an in-depth narrative account

5. Covert observation

• the subjects are not aware that they are being observed

6. Overt observation

• the subjects are aware that they are being observed

Guidelines in Conducting an Experiment

• Always coordinate with a laboratory technician or supervisor when doing an experiment.
• Make yourself present and accessible during an experiment.
•  Maintain a relaxed and professional atmosphere.
•  Clean the experiment venue (e.g. laboratory) as you leave.
•  Never coerce participants in your experiments.
• Ensure the safety of everyone involved at all times. 
• Let participants fill out an informed consent form ( ICF) before letting participants join. This document proves that the participant voluntarily and willingly participated in the experiment.
• Ensure the anonymity of participants.
•  Ensure the confidentiality of all gathered data.