Unit 4-Lesson 11-Preparing and Implementing Research Instruments

Objectives
• Be able to:
1. Design, test, and revise research instruments;
2. Gather data through surveys, experiments,
and observations;
3. Disseminate written forms of information
from surveys, experiments, and observation.
 Warm Up Activity
• Divide the class into two. Imagine you are going to
interview an actor or actress who plays one of the
characters in your favorite TV show. Prepare at
least 5 questions based on the two contexts below:
• Context for Group 1: You are a group of
researchers. The research you are doing aims to
see if actors and actresses feel an attachment to
the characters they are playing and how it
happens.
Context for Group 2:
• You are a showbiz reporter. You are tasked to
interview the actor/actress to get the latest
news about him/her.
• You have ten (10) minutes to prepare the
questions. Then present your input in the form
of a five-minute role playing presentation.
• Afterwards, individually compare the two
interviews using the table below:
Context 1: Research : Context 2: Showbiz Report
1.
2.
3.
 What is a Research Instrument?
• A research instrument is a tool used to gather data on
a specific topic of interest.
• When conducting a research, it is necessary to prepare
and implement the appropriate instrument to gather
data one needs.
• The research instrument must be valid and reliable.
• It 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
1. Do a preliminary research by visiting the 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 you want as respondents or participants.
6. Prepare the instrument using the appropriate format.
Get model instruments, if necessary. You may visit
Google Scholar for 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
respondents, make the necessary revisions.
 Types of Instrument
• Depending upon the type of research and
amount of data needed, the following common
instruments may be used in conducting research:
1. Survey
- Contains planned questions which are used to
measure attitudes, perceptions, and opinions.
- Contains responses directly related to each
specific research question, either in the form of
interview or questionnaire.
Three types of questions used to conduct survey: recall,
recognition and open-ended.
1) Recall question asks for specific information such as
years of service, age, and address.
2) Recognition question asks for a response to a specific
question where options are given as in multiple
choice, yes-no or dichotomous, and rating scale
format.
3) Open-ended elicits brief explanations or impressions
from the respondent.
 Types of Instrument (cont’d.)
2. Interview
- Allows the researcher to qualitatively gather
data.
- Responses here are usually open-ended.
- Stages of Interview:
1) Pre-interview stage-when an interview guide
is prepared and respondents are identified
and contacted.
2) Warm-up stage- the initial part of the interview
when questions are asked that will make the
respondents more at ease.
3) Main interview stage-when the main questions
directly related to research questions are asked.
4) Closing stage-when questions are asked to
wind down or sum up the interview and
respondents are acknowledged and thanked.
Guidelines when Conducting and Interview

1. Before the interview, arrange your questions logically

to make the flow of the interview smoother.
2. Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose of the
interview.
3. Tell the respondents that all information given will
be handled with utmost confidentiality and care.
4. Have a warm-up stage to ease and make the
respondents comfortable, such as by asking “how is
your day?”, etc.
5. Be sure that your language is appropriate to
the respondents.
6. Do not make your interview too long as your
respondents might get bored or annoyed.
7. With the permission of the interviewee,
record the interview if you want to transcribe
the data gathered.
8. Always thank the respondents for their time.
 Types of an Instrument (cont’d.)
3. Questionnaire
- Lists written questions to get specific information.
- Compared with interview, a questionnaire is more
quantifiable.
- Responses in a questionnaire are usually
dichotomous (yes/no) and use an identification
type of test.
- Open-ended questions are oftentimes
incorporated in the questionnaire.
• Parts of a Questionnaire:
1) Personal information section-includes the name
(optional), age, date of birth, address, education, and
other personal information about the respondent.
Only personal information relevant to the research
should be asked.
2) Basic questions section-serves 2 purposes, namely: A.
to establish that the person you are asking is the right
person for the study; and
B. To establish rapport with the interviewees
3) Main questions section-contains questions
that are directly related to your research,
ideally in the form of multiple questions for
each specific research question, because 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.
 Guidelines in Preparing a Questionnaire

1. Introduce the questionnaire through a cover letter

that explains the purpose and relevance of the study,
length of time needed to complete the
questionnaire, how the data will be processed, and
your contact details.
2. Keep the questionnaire short by focusing only on
essential questions.
3. Keep all information confidential.
4. Pilot the questionnaire to be sure you have not
missed any important question.
5. Use a follow up reminder.
6. Give respondents sufficient time to answer the
questionnaire.
7. Make all instructions and questions clear and
without double meaning by using only simple words.
8. Make sure that your grammar is correct.
9. Use questions that will get objective responses as
much as possible.
10. The questionnaire should be brief but complete.
11. Arrange and categorize the questions logically,
such as based on research questions.
12. Relate all questions to your research topic and
make sure that the responses received are
sufficient for your analysis.
13. In relation to No. 12, make as many questions
as possible without being redundant.
14. Avoid asking embarassing or unnecessary
questions.
15. Explain and illustrate difficult questions.
16. State all questions affirmatively.
17. Make the respondents anonymous, if
necessary.
18. Avoid biased and leading questions. Leading
questions should not be asked because they
are malicious and insulting on the part of the
respondents.
 Types of an Instrument (cont’d.)
4. Observation
- Allows the description of behavior in a naturalistic or
laboratory setting.
- Usually done to cross-validate the results of other
instruments.
- Most useful when the answers to research questions
require description of behavior and setting and
respondents, such as infants, cannot literally answer
interview questions because of inability to speak and
write.
• Types of Observation:
1) Non-participant and Participant Observation
A. Non-participant
- Allows the researcher to observe the subjects
without interacting with them, hence the
subjects do not know that they are being
observed.
- Usually employed by psychologists when
observing children and animals.
B. Participant
- Allows the researcher to interact actitvely with
the subjects.
- Researchers in most cases immerse themselves in
a group or community for a long period of time.
2) Structured and Unstructured Observation
A. Structured-when the researcher has a list of
behaviors he/she wants to observe.
B. Unstructured-when the researchers allow
behaviors to emerge and documented
through an in-depth narrative account.
3) Covert and Overt Observation
A. Covert-when subjects are not aware that
they are being observed.
B. Overt-when subjects are aware that they are
being observed.
 Types of Instrument (cont’d.)
5. Experiment
- A procedure undertaken scientifically and systematically
to make a discovery and to test hypothesis.
- Can be performed in a laboratory or in natural setting
following these steps:
a. Make observations
b. Develop hypothesis
c. Design the experiment
d. Conduct the experiment. Replicate the experiment to
ensure the reliability of the results.
e. Analyze the results
f. Decide on whether to accept or reject the
hypothesis based on the results.
 Guidelines in Conducting an Experiment

1) Always coordinate with laboratory technician or

supervisor when doing an experiment.
2) Make yourself present and accessible during an
experiment.
3) Maintain a relaxed and professional
atmosphere.
4) Clean the experiment venue as you leave.
5) Never coerce any participants in your
experiment.
 Guidelines in Conducting an Experiment
(cont’d.)
6. If you need participants in your experiment, let
them fill out an informed consent form (ICF)
beforehand. An ICF is a document proving that
the participant voluntarily and willingly
participated in the experiment.
7. Always ensure the safety of everyone involved.
8. Ensure the anonymity of participants.
9. Ensure the confidentiality of all data gathered.
 Comparison of the Advantages and
Disadvantages of the Instruments
Instrument Advantages Disadvantages

Questionnaire * least expensive * has the lowest response rate

* least time consuming * does not generally provide
opportunity for respondents
to clarify questions/items
* flexible in terms of * requires participants to read
administration (online and write
or offline)
* may generate more
consistent responses
* easier to analyze data
* involves more number of
participants
 Instrument Advantages Disadvantages

Interview * high response rate * time-consuming

* allows probing * expensive
* can clarify items to be * difficult to analyze
asked data
* does not require partici- * requires transcription
pants to read and write
lengthily
* can address complex
situations
 Instrument Advantages Disadvantages

Observation * provides direct access to a * Provides no control for

phenomenon situation
* applicable to a wide range * may be biased
of contexts * does not provide data for
* complements other instru- a more stable conclusion
ments * time consuming
* may influence data because
of observer’s effects

Experiment * provides control of situa- * may result in an artificial

tion and variables situation
* establishes cause & effect * prone to experimenter’s effects
* can be replicated
* yields quantitative data that
be statistically analyzed
 Assignments/Activities
I. Work in groups of three. Look at the topics
below.
• Facebook and privacy
• Selfies and groufies as the new tradition
• Danger posed by strangers and Facebook
• Confidence and social media “Likes”
• Social media and creativity
• Social media and instant fame
• Choose from one of the topics. Narrow down your
chosen topic by asking a general question about
it. When focusing on a topic, consider your target
respondents. Focus on the youth, but come up
with an age range with your group mates.
• For example, with the topic Online Games and the
Youth, you may arrive at a general question: “What
are the factors that make online games addicting?”
• Topic: _______________________
• General question:_______________________
• Prepare a questionnaire which will answer the question
and establish supporting details about it. Take note of the
guidelines discussed earlier. Once your questions are
ready, submit them for review. Once approved, exchange
questionnaires with another group for your pilot test.
Have them answer your questionnaire while you note
their reactions. Pay attention to items where they hesitate
to answer; focus especially on items or questions they
clarify.
• Revise your questionnaire based on the input
you received from your pilot test. Once done,
administer your survey to your group’s target
audience.
• Collate the answers and keep the data. Submit
a copy of the raw data.
II. Pretend you are a qualitative researcher who
is conducting a study about social
interactions. Go to a public place of your
choice, such as a mall, a fast food chain, or a
market, and observe how the people
interact. Then, write a 150-word narrative on
what you have observed.
III. Work in groups of five. Look for a study with
an experimental design. Study the
methodology part of the research to see how
the instrument was implemented. Then,
illustrate the set up of the research through a
flowchart or a poster. Send your group
output via Messenger.