Educational Research and Educational Research and statisticstatistic

Types of Instruments

InstrumentationInstrumentation

One of the most important One of the most important components of a research design components of a research design is the is the research instrumentsresearch instruments because they because they gather or collect gather or collect data or informationdata or information.. These These research instruments or tools research instruments or tools are ways of gathering data. are ways of gathering data. Without them, data would be Without them, data would be impossible to put in hand.impossible to put in hand.

Data CollectionData Collection

Scientific and disciplined inquiry Scientific and disciplined inquiry requires the collection, analysis, and requires the collection, analysis, and interpretation of datainterpretation of data Data – the pieces of information that are Data – the pieces of information that are

collected to examine the research topiccollected to examine the research topic

WHAT ARE DATA?WHAT ARE DATA?

The term "data" refers to the kinds of information The term "data" refers to the kinds of information researchers obtain on the subjects of their researchers obtain on the subjects of their research.research.

The term "instrumentation" refers to the entire The term "instrumentation" refers to the entire process of collecting data in a research process of collecting data in a research investigation.investigation.

Researcher InstrumentsResearcher Instruments

Many types of researcher-completed Many types of researcher-completed instruments exist. instruments exist.

Some of the more commonly used are Some of the more commonly used are rating scales, interview schedules, tally rating scales, interview schedules, tally sheets, flowcharts, performance sheets, flowcharts, performance checklists, anecdotal recordschecklists, anecdotal records

Pilot TestingPilot Testing

Test on a small number of individuals in Test on a small number of individuals in the samplethe sample

Ask for written feedback on the questionsAsk for written feedback on the questions Revise the survey based on the written Revise the survey based on the written

commentscomments

Selection of a TestSelection of a Test

Designing you own testsDesigning you own tests Get help from others with experience developing testsGet help from others with experience developing tests Item writing guidelinesItem writing guidelines

Avoid ambiguous and confusing wording and sentence Avoid ambiguous and confusing wording and sentence structurestructure

Use appropriate vocabularyUse appropriate vocabulary Write items that have only one correct answerWrite items that have only one correct answer Give information about the nature of the desired answerGive information about the nature of the desired answer Do not provide clues to the correct answerDo not provide clues to the correct answer

Selection of a TestSelection of a Test

Test administration guidelinesTest administration guidelines Plan aheadPlan ahead Be certain that there is consistency across Be certain that there is consistency across

testing sessionstesting sessions Be familiar with any and all procedures Be familiar with any and all procedures

necessary to administer a testnecessary to administer a test

QUESTIONAIREQUESTIONAIRE

The most The most common instrument or tool common instrument or tool of research for obtaining the dataof research for obtaining the data beyond the physical reach of the beyond the physical reach of the observer. observer.

For Example:For Example:

May be sent to human beings who are May be sent to human beings who are thousands of miles away or just around thousands of miles away or just around the corner.the corner.

Two Forms of QuestionnaireTwo Forms of Questionnaire

Closed form / Closed-endedClosed form / Closed-ended

Open form / Open-endedOpen form / Open-ended

Guidelines in Using the Guidelines in Using the QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Clarity of languageClarity of languageSingleness of purposeSingleness of purposeRelevant to the objective of Relevant to the objective of

the studythe studyCorrect grammarCorrect grammar

Principles to consider in Principles to consider in constructing Questionnaireconstructing Questionnaire

1. define or qualify terms that could 1. define or qualify terms that could easily be misinterpreteasily be misinterpret

2. be careful in using descriptive 2. be careful in using descriptive adjectives and adverbs that have no adjectives and adverbs that have no agreed-upon meaningagreed-upon meaning

3. be careful of inadequate alternatives3. be careful of inadequate alternatives

4. beware of double negative4. beware of double negative

ContCont..

5.avoid the double-barreled question5.avoid the double-barreled question

6. underline the word if you wish to 6. underline the word if you wish to indicate special emphasisindicate special emphasis

7. when asking for rating or 7. when asking for rating or comparisons a point of reference comparisons a point of reference is necessaryis necessary

8. avoid unwarranted assumptions8. avoid unwarranted assumptions

ContCont..

9.Pharse questions so that they are appropriate 9.Pharse questions so that they are appropriate for all respondentsfor all respondents

10.design question that will give a complete 10.design question that will give a complete answeranswer

11.provide for the systematic qualification of 11.provide for the systematic qualification of responseresponse

12.consider the possibility of classifying the 12.consider the possibility of classifying the respondents yourself rather than having the respondents yourself rather than having the respondents choose categoriesrespondents choose categories

AdvantagesAdvantages

Facilitates data gatheringFacilitates data gathering

Is easy to test data for reliability and Is easy to test data for reliability and validity validity

Is less time-consuming than interview Is less time-consuming than interview and observationand observation

Preserves the anonymity and Preserves the anonymity and confidentiality of the respondents confidentiality of the respondents 'reactions and answers 'reactions and answers

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Printing and mailing are costlyPrinting and mailing are costly Response rate maybe lowResponse rate maybe low Respondents may provide only socially Respondents may provide only socially

acceptable answersacceptable answers There is less chance to clarify There is less chance to clarify

ambiguous answerambiguous answer Respondents must be literate and with Respondents must be literate and with

no physical handicapsno physical handicaps Rate of retrieval can be low because Rate of retrieval can be low because

retrieval itself is difficultretrieval itself is difficult

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