HANDOUT IN EAPP: Preparing Research Instruments

A research instrument is a tool used to gather data on a specific topic of 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 instruments 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 necessary revisions.

Types of Instruments

There are different types of instrument that you can use depending on the type of research and amount of data you need. The following
are some of the most common instruments used in conducting a research.
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Survey

 A survey contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes, perceptions, and opinions.
 It contains responses directly related to each specific research question. It can either be in the form of an interview or a
questionnaire.

There are three types of question that you can use when conducting a survey: recall, recognition, and open-ended.

1. The recall type of question ask for specific information such as years of service, age, and address.
2. The recognition type of question, on the other hand, ask for a response to a specific question where options are given such as
in the case of multiple choice, dichotomous (yes/no), and rating scale format.
3. The open-ended type of question elicits brief explanations or impressions from the respondent.

Interview

An interview is an instrument that allows the researcher to qualitatively gather data. Responses during an interview are usually open-
ended.

An interview consists of different stages.

1. Pre-interview stage. It is when an interview guide is prepared and respondents are identified and contacted.
2. Warm-up stage. It is the initial part of an interview when questions that will make respondents more at ease are asked.
3. Main interview stage. It is when the main question directly related to the research question are asked.
4. Closing stage. It is when questions are asked to wind down the interview and respondents are acknowledged and thanked.

Guidelines when Conducting an Interview

1. Before the interview, arrange your questions logically to make the flow of the interview and respondents smoother.
2. Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose for the interview.
3. Tell the respondents that you will handle the information with utmost confidentially and care.
4. Have a warm-up stage to make the respondent more comfortable. Questions such as “how was your day” can be asked for this
purpose.
5. Adjust your language to that of the respondents.
6. Make the length of the interview reasonable. Otherwise, your respondents might get bored or annoyed.
7. Record the interview because you may need to transcribe the gathered data. However, make sure you inform or get the approval
of the interviewee.
8. Always thank the respondents for their time.
Questionnaire

Compared with the interview, a questionnaire is more quantifiable. It lists written questions to get the specific information. Response in a
questionnaire are usually dichotomous and use identification type of test. In some case, open-ended questions are incorporated in the questionnaire.

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. Note that only the personal information relevant to the research study should be asked.
2. Basic Question 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 interviews.
3. Main Question Section- contains questions that are directly related to your research. It is ideal to have multiple questions for each
specific research question. 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.

Observation

Observation allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or laboratory setting. Usually this instrument is used to cross-validate the result of
other instruments. An observation is most useful when the answers to the 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 (e.g.
infants, small children)

Types of Observation

1. Participant and Non-participant Observation

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.

A participant type of observation 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.

2. Structured and Unstructured Observation

A structured observation occurs when the researcher has a list of behaviors that he/she wants to observe.

An unstructured observation, occurs when the researcher allows behaviors to emerge. These behaviors are then documented through
an in-depth narrative account.

3. Covert and Overt Observation

Covert observation occurs when the subjects are not aware that they are being observed.

Overt observation means that the subjects are aware that they are being observed.

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 a natural setting following these steps:

1. Make observations
2. Develop the hypothesis
3. Design the experiment
4. Conduct the experiment. Replicate the experiment to ensure the reliability of the results
5. Analyze the results
6. Decide on whether to accept or reject the hypothesis based on the results.