INSTRUMENT OF THE STUDY

Most Frequently used Data Collection

Techniques
1. Documentary Analysis
This technique is used to analyze
primary and secondary sources that are
available mostly in churches, schools,
public or private offices, hospitals, or in
community, municipal, and city halls.
At times, data are not available or are
difficult to locate in these places and the
information gathered tend to be
incomplete or not definite and
conclusive.
2. Interview
The instrument used in this method is the
interview schedule. The skill of the interviewer
determines if the interviewee is able to express
his/her thoughts clearly. Usually, an interview is
conducted with a single person, but there are also
times when it is conducted with a group of people
( 5 – 10) whose opinions and experiences are
elicited simultaneously.
Three Types of Interview
a. Unstructured
This interview can be in the form of
normal conversations or a free-wheeling
exchange of ideas. The interviewer
must be knowledgeable on the subject
or topic of concern
b. Structured
The conduct of questioning follows
a particular sequence and has a well-
defined content. The interviewer does
not ask questions that are not part of the
questionnaire but he/she can ask the
interviewee to clarify his/her answers.
c. Semi-structured
There is a specific set of questions,
but there are also additional probes that
may be done in an open-ended or
close-ended manner. The researcher
can gather additional data from a
respondent to add depth and
significance to the findings.
3. Observation
This process or technique enables
the researcher to participate actively in
the conduct of the research. The
instrument used in an observation is
called the observation guide or
observation checklist. Observation must
be done in a quiet and inconspicuous
manner to get realistic data.
Types of Observation
a. Structured
The researcher uses checklist as a
data collection tool. This checklist
specifies expected behaviors of interest
and the researcher records the
frequency of the occurrences of these
behaviors
b. Unstructured
The researcher observes things as
they happen. The researcher conducts
the observation without any
preconceived ideas about what will be
observed.
4. Physiological Measures
The technique applied for
physiological measures involves the
collection of physical data from the
subjects. Some instruments used to
collect physiological measures are
thermometer, stethoscope, weighing
scale, etc.
5. Psychological Tests
These include personality inventories and
projective techniques. Personality inventories are
self-reported measures that assess the
differences in personality traits, needs, or values
of people. In projective techniques, the subject is
presented with a stimulus designed to be vague in
meaning. The person is then asked to describe
the stimulus or tell what the stimulus appears to
represent.
6. Questionnaire
It is the most commonly used instrument in
research. It is a list of questions about a particular
topic, with spaces provided for the response to
each question, and intended to be answered by a
number of persons. It is less expensive, yields
more honest responses, guarantees
confidentiality, and minimizes biases based on
question-phrasing modes.
Types of Questions
a. Yes or No Type
Items are answerable by “yes” or
“no”.
Examples:
Do caregivers have the right to refuse calls?
( )Yes ( ) No
Do senior high school students come to
class early? ( ) Yes ( ) No
b. Recognition Type
Alternative responses are already
provided, and the respondents simply
chose among the choices. It also
contains close-ended questions.
Examples:
Educational qualifications
___ Elementary Graduate
___ High School Graduate
___ Technical Graduate
___ College Graduate
___ MA/PhD
___Others; please specify: ______
c. Completion Type
The respondents are asked to fill in
the blanks with the necessary
information. Questions are open-ended.
Examples:
When I see a misbehaving student, I will, as a
teacher, ____________
In order to pass my failing subjects, I will
___________ regularly
d. Coding Type
Numbers are assigned to names,
choices, and other pertinent data. This
entails knowledge of statistics on the
part of the researcher, as the application
of statistical formulas is necessary to
arrive at the findings.
Example:
On a scale of (1) to (10), how will you
rate the skills of your manager?
e. Subjective Type
The respondents are free to give
their opinions about an issue of
concern.
Examples:
What can you say about teachers who are
deeply committed to their work?
Will senior high school students be allowed
to change their specialization?
f. Combination Type
The questionnaire is a combination
of two or more types of questions.
WORDINGS OF QUESTIONS
1. State questions in an affirmative
rather than in a negative manner.
2. Avoid ambiguous questions e.g.,
those which contain words like
many, always, usually, few.
3. Avoid double negative questions
(e.g. Don’t you disagree with the idea that
minors be not allowed to drink liquors?
4. Avoid double-barreled questions (i.e.
asking two questions in one question).
Example:
Will you be happy joining the Division
Quiz Bee and be given additional
examinations afterwards?
Do you want to run for the Student
Council and aim to be valedictorian?
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
DATA-COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
1. It must be concise yet able to elicit the
needed data. According to Shelley (1984),
the length of a questionnaire must be two to
four pages and the maximum time of
answering is 10 minutes. A desirable length
of each question is less than 20 words.
2. It seeks information which cannot be
obtained from other sources like
documents that are available at hand.

3. Questions must be arranged in

sequence, from the simplest to the
complex.
4. It must be arranged according to the
questions posed in the statement of the
problem.

5. It should pass validity and reliability.

6. It must be easily tabulated and

interpreted.
SCALES COMMONLY USED IN AN
INSTRUMENT
1. Likert Scale
It is a common scaling technique which
consists of several declarative statements
that express a viewpoint on a topic. The
respondents are asked to indicate how much
they agree or disagree with the statements.
Example: Likert scale to measure
attitudes towards Mathematics
Items
1. I am interested in solving numbers SA A D SD
and equations.
2. I enjoy using calculators. SA A D SD
3. Symbols and numbers are visibly SA A D SD
4. I find it easy to memorize formulas SA A D SD

Legend: SA – strongly agree A – agree

D – Disagree SD – Strongly Disagree
2. Semantic differential Scale
The respondents are asked to rate
concepts in a series of bipolar adjectives. It
has advantage of being flexible and easy to
construct.
Example: Description of the class president

Competent 5 4 3 2 1 Incompetent
Punctual 5 4 3 2 1 Not punctual
Pleasant 5 4 3 2 1 Unpleasant