Research

Instruments
How to choose to fit in to your study Validity,
Reliability and how it is Linked to the
Research Problems and conceptual framework
Objective
Define research instrument
Differentiate the different types of
research instruments
Draft a sample questionnaire or
interview guide
 What is a Research Instrument?

 A research instrument is a tool used to obtain,

measure, and analyze data from subjects
around the research topic.
 The Research Instrument is usually
determined by researcher and is tied to the
study methodology. You need to decide what
instrument to use based on the type of study
you are conducting: quantitative, qualitative, or
mixed-method.
Choosing a Research Instrument
The following list is
an example of the Formulate a thesis Choose the types of Research and write a
Select a topic
steps to complete a statement analyses literature review

research project.
Choosing a
Research Instrument Formulate the Conceptualize a
Choose research
method and research
Operationalize
concepts construct
research questions topic, refine thesis
is done after instrument instruments

conceptualization
and the units of Prepare the data for
analysis have been Formulate the data
collection strategy
Perform a pilot
study
Collect data processing &
analysis
chosen, and before
operationalizing
concepts construct Process & analyze
Interpret & make
Write the research
instruments: data
inferences about
data
paper
Publish data
Characteristics of a Good Research Instrument
Based on a conceptual
framework, or the
Must gather data suitable
researcher's understanding
Valid and reliable for and relevant to the
of how the particular
research topic
variables in the study
connect with each other

Able to test hypothesis

Free of bias and appropriate Contains clear and definite
and/or answer proposed
for the context, culture, and instructions to use the
research questions under
diversity of the study site instrument
investigation
  Structured Interview: A formal set of
questions posed to each interviewee and
recorded using a standardized procedure.
 Unstructured Interview: A less formal set of
Types of Research questions; the interviewer modifies the
sequence and wording of questions.
Instruments:  Non-Directive Interview: An unguided
Interviews interview, including open-ended questions and
use of spontaneous engagement.
 Focus Interview: An emphasis on the
Interviews or the interaction where
interviewees subjective and personal responses
verbal questions are posed by an
where the interviewer engages to elicit more
interviewer to elicit verbal responses
information.
from an interviewee.
 Focus Group Interview: A group of selected
participants are asked about their opinion or
perceptions concerning a particular topic.
  Structured Observations: Research conducted at a specific
Types of place, time, where participants are observed in a standardised
Research procedure. Rather than writing a detailed description of all
behaviors observed, researchers code observed behaviors
Instruments: according to a previously agreed upon scale.

Observations  Naturalistic Observation: The study the spontaneous

behavior of participants in natural surroundings. The
Observation (watching what people researcher simply records what they see in whatever way
do) is a type of correlational (non- they see it.
experimental) method where
researchers observe ongoing behavior.
 Participant Observation: A variation on natural
observations where the researcher joins in and becomes part
of the group they are studying to get a deeper insight into
their lives.
 Types of
Research  Free-Answer: Also referred to as open-ended
Instruments: questions, these include unrestricted, essay, or

Surveys unguided questions.

 Guided Response Type: Recall-type questions
Survey research encompasses any
measurement procedures that asking the participant to recall a set of
involve asking questions of categories. Multiple-choice or multiple
respondents. The types of surveys
can vary on the span of time used to
response questions.
conduct the study. They can be
comprised of cross-sectional surveys
and/or longitudinal surveys. Types
of questions asked in surveys
include:
 What is ‘Questionnaires’?

A questionnaire is a research instrument

consisting of a series of questions and
other prompts for the purpose of
gathering information from
respondents.
It makes data information easy to
compile
 When stating your
Research Instrument
The researcher discusses here the profile of the
instrument used to gather the necessary data to
answer the specific problems posed/raised in the
study. This section indicates if the instrument is a
self-made instrument copyrighted or and adapted
one. It clarifies the mode of responses and the
scale to be used as part of the assessment tool or
measure.
 1.  The statements or questions are stated clearly

Consider the
following guidelines 2. the responses to the questions/items are
in evaluating research verifiable and testable in terms of the hypothesis
instrument in the posed by the study
formulation of
research instrument:
3. the scale used is appropriate to measure the
response needed.
 Validation of the Instrument

The researcher includes here the procedure on how the instrument will be validated.
This section cites the names and designations of the people who validated the
instrument. The researcher is therefore required to indicate the result of the test of
reliability and validity of the instrument
Thank you for Listening!