DATA COLLECTION

INSTRUMENTS
CHECKLIST

WHAT IS A CHECKLIST?

IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF IMPORTANT OR RELEVANT

ACTIONS, OR STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN A SPECIFIC ORDER. THEY CAN
BE IN FORM OR QUESTIONS OR ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THEY CAN HAVE A SCORING SYSTEM OR THEY CAN COLLECT
COMMENTS.

A checklist is a form of predetermined or closed categories, usually

listed down one side of the page. Space is provided often in( little
boxes)to mark the presence or absence of the predetermined category.

PURPOSE :

The main purpose of a checklist is to call attention to various

aspects of a situation, to see that nothing of importance is
overlooked.

CHARACTERISTICS:

It ensures the completeness details of the data

Responses to the checklist items are largely matter of fact, not of

judgment.

It collects frequency data.

you can check a yes/ no category or ticked a box

HINTS ON CONSTRUCTING CHECKLIST:

Items in the checklist may be continuous or divided into groups of

related items.

Items should be arranged in categories in a logical order.

Terms used in the items should be clear defined.

Checklist should be continuous and comprehensive in nature.

ADVANTAGES :
It`s

easy to make and to use

It

demands low inference

It

works well with other data collection methods

It

is easy to organize and analyze

DISADVANTAGES :
It

does not work well with high inference categories

Only
It

the presence or absence of the statement can be tested

may lack a clear connection between what is observed and what is

measured

ADVICE :

Its important to report how many categories where used and what
they were ( an appendix )

You can give the actual checklist form, so the reader can see how it
was arranged.

Tell the reader why you decided to use those categories .