Research Instruments
Introduction
Data are crucial to research because they provide the basis for empirical
observations. An Instrument is research refers to any tool which enables the
researcher to gather the Data needed for the study.
There are three common instrument used in research namely:
1. Questionnaire
2. The Interview
3. and the test
Questionnaire
Questionnaire is believed to be the major instrument in data gathering. It is
consists of questions which are intended to answer information from respondents
connected to a particular problem.
One of the advantage of questionnaire is the ability to gather information to
widely scattered sources. Especially now that the social media is widely used by
variety of persons, different organizations and sectors, Researcher now can use
the population of social media to gather information about the relevant topic or
discussions of the researcher’s subject.
Options to answer questionnaire:
1. Checklist – Is when the respondent has an options to answer series of
questions.
2. Schedule – Is when the respondent have to fill-up the question written on
the questionnaire.
(3) Options to use questionnaire for research:
1. The Researcher may look for a previously validated questionnaire, which
has been used in a previous study.
2. Adaptation, is when a previous questionnaire is modified, replace or
deletes some items to be relevant to the subject.
3. Based on the information needed. Questionnaires can be constructed by
the researchers based on the most needed information.
Criteria to construct a questionnaire:
1. Items must not be, too few or too many. So that it will not take so much
time nor will unnecessarily exhaust the respondents.
2. Items must not be too long. Too long questions causes uncertain answers.
But it must be reasonably short so that the respondents inclined to respond
to series of question completely.
3. Items can be answered by checking appropriate boxes. Having check
boxes shortens the answer of respondent, because some of the respondents
are at chance of having unaccomplished answers.
4. Vocabulary must be understandable. Words will be using to a
questionnaire must be appropriate to the level or criteria of respondents.
5. The items must be very clear to elicit definite response. Having more than
options to answer one question forcing respondents to not answer just
“yes” or “no”
6. Items should be tactfully phrased. The questions must show facts, in such
way the reponses will not be embarrassed to the person accomplishing the
questionnaire.
7. Show no hidden purpose.
8. The questionnaire must be valid.
Pretesting reveals whatever misconceptions the respondents may probably have.
Questionnaire validity.
1. The items must definitely and adequately cover all the aspects of the
subject of research, having excluded all irrelevant elements and
duplication of ideas.
2. The questions must be perfectly clear and unambigious.
3. The items must evolve something which is typically of the individual and
of the situation. For instance, if the responses could identify whether an
individual has emotional awareness of others in relation to what he
actually is, then the questionnaire is valid.
4. The respondents give answer with reality. If many of the respondents do
not answer an item for whatever reason, then that item cannot be valid.
5. Different types of responses give respondents with reasonable range of
variation. This implies that the items in the questionnaire can distinguish
one from another in terms of the characteristics being considered.
6. The information that will be gathered through the questionnaire is
consistent. Sometimes items stated in the negative sense are included to
see the consistency of responses.
Below is an example of a questionnaire, which is intended to gather data on how
employees perceive their superiors. The items given here constitute only a part of
the whole questionnaire.
Direction: Please rate the above-named personnel as accurately as you can by
checking the column that best answer each item in accordance with the following
descriptions.
5 – The action is ALWAYS observed/done
4 – The action is OFTEN observed/done
3 – The action is SOMETIMES observed/done
2- The action is SELDOM observed/done
1 – The action is NEVER observed/done
Item 5 4 3 2 1
To what degree is each item observed/done?
[Link] confidence in subordinates
[Link] command responsibility in delegated tasks
[Link] authority within reasonable bounds
[Link] subordinated to discuss freely their jobs/problems
[Link] proficiency and mastery of his/her work
[Link] out new ideas and innovations
[Link] proper flow of communication vertically and
horizontally
[Link] those with whom he without apparent use of
authority and pressure
[Link] a reputation of trustworthiness in communication
and leadership
[Link] shows the reasons for the decisions and policies
Interview
Interview is a Face-to-Face contact to a person or group of person especially for
consultation. Interview is considered needed when the information desired
involves some personal habits and characteristics, opinions and belief, family
matter or confidential.
Advantage of Interview to Questionnaire:
1. A skillful interviewer may draw from the interviewee some personal and
confidential information which may not be obtained from a questionnaire.
2. The conversation with the interviewee may enable the interviewer to
develop a trend towards a certain direction by following up leads and clue
that may crop up.
3. Through the interview, the interviewer can form an impression about the
interviewee, thus enabling the former to “read between the lines”
4. Through exchange of ideas, the interviewer may help the interviewee
develop certain attitude, which is not possible in questionnaire.
[Keep in mind, that being an Interviewer, it is not a key to ask every question to
your interviewee. An interview needs planning and requires study of literature. It
is not pleasant to ask one person to talk about anything especially when it is out of
the subject matter.]
Indeed, an interviewer must prepare a set of carefully planned questions, which
may be varied according to the circumstances at hand. When opportunity arises,
the interviewer may amplify the questions by following some leads.
The success or failure of interview may be affected by some factors:
1. A very long interview may bore the interviewee such that the rest of the
questions may be answered carelessly. Hence, the interview must be
within the tolerable time.
2. Empathy is very important. An interviewer who establishes good rapport
and demonstrates sensitivity to the interviewee is likely to get satisfactory
answers.
3. A conductive physical setting adds to the chance of getting good results
and accurate answers.
4. The interviewer’s reputation and knowledge of the topic at hand are
crucial factors in the interview. An interview with a good reputation is
likely to answer all the information he needs to know.
An interview may not be the main data gathering instrument for a research. But it
may be resorted to in order to confirm the responses to a questionnaire or to gain
deeper insight into the responses given.
