GB6013 RESEARCH
INSTRUMENT
DR. FARIZA KHALID
INSTRUMENT
Instrument – a tool used to collect data
Research instruments are simply devices for
obtaining information relevant to the research
project
INSTRUMENTS
Questionnaire
One to one Interview
Focus Group Interview
Observation
Content analysis
QUESTIONNAIRE
Accurate and systematic data collection is critical to
conducting scientific research.
Data collection allows us to collect information that we want
to collect about our study objects
QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaires allow collection of both subjective and
objective data in a large sample of the study population in
order to obtain results that are statistically significant,
specially when resources are limited
QUESTIONNAIRE
The questionnaires can measure both qualitative and
quantitative data, but is it more appropriate for quantitative
data collection
STEPS IN DESIGNING AND
ADMINISTERING QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Defining the Objectives of the Study
2. Define the target respondents and methods to
reach them.
3. Questionnaire Design
4. Pilot Testing
5. Questionnaire Administration
6. Results Interpretation
DEFINING THE OBJECTIVES OF
THE STUDY
A questionnaire should allow us to collect
the most complete and accurate data in a
logical flow.
A well-designed questionnaire should
meet the research goal and objectives and
minimize unanswered questions
DEFINE THE TARGET
RESPONDENTS AND METHODS
TO REACH THEM
Clearly define the target, study populations
Methods: personal contact, group of focus
interview, mail /Internet-based
questionnaires, telephone interview
DEVELOP THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Must be based on the research question
Each question should contribute to testing one or more
hypothesis/ research question
Questions could be:
- close-ended
- open-ended
QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS
Clarity (question has the same meaning for all
respondents)
Phrasing (short and simple sentences, only one piece of
information at a time, avoid negatives if possible, ask
precise questions, in line with respondent level of
knowledge…)
Sensitive question: avoid questions that could b
embarrassing to respondents.
Hypothetical Questions should be avoided if possible.
PILOT TESTING
The major challenge in questionnaire design
is to make it clear to all respondents.
In-order to identify and solve the confusing
points, we need to pre-test the
questionnaire.
During the pilot trial: the questionnaire
participants should be randomly selected
from the study population.
ADMINISTERING QUESTIONNAIRE
INTERVIEW
Interviews consist of collecting data by asking
questions.
Data can be collected by listening to individuals,
recording, filming their responses, or a
combination of methods.
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Structured interview
Semi-structured interview
In-depth interview, and
Focused group discussion
STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
In structured interviews the questions as well as their order is
already scheduled.
Your additional intervention consists of giving more explanation to
clarify your question (if needed), and to ask your respondent to
provide more explanation if the answer they provide is vague
(probing)
SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
Include a number of planned questions, but the interviewer has more
freedom to modify the wording and order of questions.
IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW
In-depth interview is less formal and the least structured, in which the
wording and questions are not predetermined. This type of interview is
more appropriate to collect complex information with a higher proportion
of opinion-based information.
FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEW
Focus group is a structured discussion with the purpose of stimulating
conversation around a specific topic.
Focus group discussion is led by a facilitator who poses questions and the
participants give their thoughts and opinions.
Focus group discussion gives us the possibility to cross check one
individual’s opinion with other opinions gathered.
FORMULATING INTERVIEW GUIDES
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Introducing questions:
‘have you ever ..’
Please tell me about
when your interest in Y began?’
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Follow up questions:
‘what do you mean by …?’
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Probing questions:
‘could you say some more about that?’
In what ways do you find X interesting?’
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Indirect question:
'is that the way you feel too?’
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Structuring questions:
'I would now like to move on to different topic.’
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
Interpreting questions:
‘Do you mean that your leadership role has had to
change to a more directive one?’
QUESTIONS ORDER
Start with questions that directly relate to the topic of research (this
removes the possibility that the respondent will be wondering why
he/she is being asked apparently irrelevant questions)
Put potentially embarrassing questions left till later
Group questions into sections – to allow better flow than skipping from
one topic to another
Skip the question that has been asked by the respondent (if s/he
provided the answers before you asked)
PROBING
help the respondent to understand the question – further information is
needed
Seek more answers if the respondent did not provide sufficient answer:
‘could you say a little more about that?’
‘ada apa lagi yang encik hendak katakan?’
Agaknya kenapa saudara berkata begitu?
‘aha ..?’
PROMPTING
When the interviewer suggests a possible answer to a questions to the
respondent
E.g. when there is along list of possible answer – hand the list to the
respondent and let him decide
LEAVING THE INTERVIEW
Say thanks!
Appreciate them for giving up their time
Tokens
SOURCES OF ERROR
A poorly worded question
The way the question is asked by the interviewer
Misunderstanding on the part if the interviewee
Memory problems on the part of interviewee
The way the information is recorded by the interviewer
The way the information is processed e.g. coding part
OBSERVATION
Observation is a method of data collection in which researchers
observe within a specific research field.
OBSERVATION
Observation is normally associated with an ethnographic
methodology (more later) but can be used as part of other
research designs
KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER
Is it compatible with your research aims,
questions and paradigmatic approach?
How will it add value to your research in addition
to or in place of other methods?
Are there any ethical, access or other issues that
might make observations difficult?
KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER
How will you collect observational data? Structured
template, unstructured, semi-structured?
How will you organise your field notes, personal
notes etc?
Will other data methods be used? If so, how will they
add value? If you are seeking to triangulate, how will
this be compatible with epistemology etc?
REMINDER
Observations have to be tied to the research question(s), which
should act as a guide
Piloting data collection is an important way of determining what is
important to include or what could possibly be ignored
Allow data to emerge through the process – field notes towards the
end of data collection might look very different from field notes at the
start
ETHICS IN DATA COLLECTION
Informed consent of all involved
Guarantee of anonymity
ETHICS Giving back to the research site
ROLES OF A RESEARCHER
We commit ourselves to long-term
relationships
Trust is a very important issue
ROLES We will see and hear things of a sensitive
nature
We may become a “sounding board” for
others
REFERENCE
Bryman, A. (2004).
Social research
method. 2nd Edition.
Oxford University
Press Inc.
