Preparing and

implementing Research
Instruments
Learning Objectives:

1 2 3
1. Design, test, 2. Gather data 3. Disseminate
and revise through surveys, written forms of
research experiments, and information from
instruments; observation; surveys,
experiments, and
observation.
 What are research instruments?
Research instruments are tools used to gather data on a
specific topic or 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.
General Guidelines in Preparing an Instrument
Follow the given guidelines when preparing an instrument:
1. Do a preliminary research by visiting your library or checking online sources.
2. Talk to 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 of people whom you want
as respondents or participants.
6. Prepare the instrument using the appropriate format. 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.
 There are five (5) common types of
instruments:
research
Types of Research
Instruments 1. Surveys

2. Interview

3. Questionnaire

4. Observation

5. Experiment
 A survey contains planned questions which
are used to measure attitudes, perceptions,
and opinions.
Survey
It contains responses be in the form of an
interview or a questionnaire.
 Survey

There are three types of questions that you can

use
when conducting a survey:
• RECAL – ask for specific information such
years
L of as
service, age, and
• address.
RECOGNITIO – ask for response to a
question wherespecific
N options are given such as in
the case of multiple choice, dichotomous
(yes/no), and rating scale format.
• OPEN-ENDED – elicits brief explanations or
impressions from the
respondent
 An instrument that
allows the researcher
to qualitatively gather
data.
Interview
Responses during an
interview are usually
open –ended.
 An interview consists
of different stages:
• 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 that
will make 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 the
questions are asked to wind down
the interview and respondents are
acknowledged and thanked.
Before the interview,
arrange your questions
logically to make the flow
of the interview
smoother.
Begin by introducing Tell the respondents that
yourself and the you will handle the
purpose for the information with utmost
interview. confidentiality and care

Have a warm-up stage to

make the respondents more
comfortable. Questions such
as "how was your day" can

Guidelines in
be asked for this purpose

Conducting an Adjust your

Make the length of the
interview reasonable.
Otherwise, your

Interview language to that of

the respondents
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.
 QUESTIONNAIRE

• Compared with the interview, a questionnaire

is more quantifiable.
• It lists written questions to get specific information.
• Responses in a questionnaire are
usually
dichotomous and use an identification type of test.
• Open-ended questions are incorporated in
the
questionnaire.
 1. Personal Information Section – includes the name
(optional), age, date of birth, address, educational
background and other personal information about
the respondent. Note that only personal
information relevant to the research study should be
asked.
2. Basic Questions Section – 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.
3. Main Questions Section – contains questions that are
Parts of a directly related to your research. It is ideal to have a
multiple questions for each specific research questions.
Questionnaire The greater the number of questions, the greater the
possibility of more conclusive results.
4. Open-ended Questions Section – asks for a brief
explanation or response to an open-ended question.
Observatio
n
• 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
questionnaire for some valid
reasons such as inability to
speak and write.
 1 PARTICIPANT AND NON-PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
a) 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.
b) 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
a) Structured observation occurs when the researcher has a list of
behaviors that he/ she wants to observe.
b) Unstructured observation, on the other hand, occurs when the
researcher allows behaviors to emerge. These behaviors are then
documented through an in-depth narrative account.
3 Covert and Overt Observation
a) Covert observation occurs when the subjects are not aware that
they are being observed
b) Overt observation occurs when the subjects are aware that they
are being observed.
 Develop an observation
guide or checklist which Decide on the type of
identifies the observation that you will
phenomenon you want use.
to understand.

Know your limitations as Use a recording device

an observer. when appropriate.

Guidelines in
Conducting an Always bring paper and
pen with you to record Never attempt to

Observation
other details which influence the behavior of
cannot be recorded by a your subjects.
video or audio recorder.

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 natural setting
 Make observations

Develop hypothesis

Following Design the experiment

these steps Conduct the experiment. Replicate the experiment

to ensure the reliability of the results

Analyze the results

Decide on whether to accept or reject the

hypothesis based on the results.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
Instrument Advantages
Questionnaire -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
Interview -High response rate
-Allows probing
-Can clarify items to be asked
-Does not require participants to
read and write lengthily
-Can address complex questions
Disadvantages
-Has the lowest response
rate
-Does not generally
provide opportunity for
respondents to clarify
questions/items
-Requires participants to
read and write
-time-consuming
-Expensive
-Difficult to analyze data
-Requires transcription
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
Instrument Advantages Disadvantages
Observation -Provides direct access to a -Provides no control for
phenomenon situation
-Applicable to a wide range of -May be biased
contexts -Does not provide data for
-Complements other instruments a more stable conclusion
-Time consuming
-May influence data
because of observer’s
effects

Experiment -Provides control of situation and -May result in an artificial

variables situation
-Establishes cause and effect -Prone to experimenter’s
-Can be replicated effects
-Yields quantitative data that can
be statistically analyzed