Research instruments

Research instruments

1. Structured Interview: A formal set of questions posed to each interviewee and recorded using a standardized procedure

2. The following list is an example of the steps to complete a research project. Choosing a Research Instrument is done after conceptualization and the units of analysis have been chosen, and before operationalizing concepts construct instruments:

   • 1. Select a topic 2. Formulate a thesis statement 3. Choose the types of analyses 4. Research and write a literature review 5. Formulate the research questions 6. Conceptualize a topic, refine thesis 7. Choose research method and research instrument 8. Operationalize concepts construct instruments 9. Formulate the data collection strategy 10. Perform a pilot study 11. Collect data 12. Prepare the data for processing & analysis 13. Process & analyze data 14. Interpret & make inferences about data 15. Write the research paper 16. Publish data

3. A Research Instrument is a tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data related to your research interests. These tools are most commonly used in health sciences, social sciences, and education to assess patients, clients, students, teachers, staff, etc. A research instrument can include interviews, tests, surveys, or checklists.

4. Survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve asking questions of respondents. The types of surveys can vary on the span of time used to conduct the study. They can be comprised of cross-sectional surveys and/or longitudinal surveys. Types of questions asked in surveys include:

   • Free-Answer: Also referred to as open-ended questions, these include unrestricted, essay, or unguided questions.
     • Guided Response Type: Recall-type questions asking the participant to recall a set of categories. Multiple-choice or multiple response questions.

5. Participant Observation: A variation on natural observations where the researcher joins in and becomes part of the group they are studying to get a deeper insight into their lives.

6. Unstructured Interview: A less formal set of questions; the interviewer modifies the sequence and wording of questions.

7. Structured Observations: Research conducted at a specific place, time, where participants are observed in a standardised procedure. Rather than writing a detailed description of all behaviors observed, researchers code observed behaviors according to a previously agreed upon scale.

8. Non-Directive Interview: An unguided interview, including open-ended questions and use of spontaneous engagement.

9. Focus Interview: An emphasis on the interviewees subjective and personal responses where the interviewer engages to elicit more information.

10. Focus Group Interview: A group of selected participants are asked about their opinion or perceptions concerning a particular topic.

11. Observation (watching what people do) is a type of correlational (non-experimental) method where researchers observe ongoing behavior.