The Instrumentation 1 consists of few important points to be discussed such as:
a) What are data?
b) Means of classifying data-collection instruments.
c) Examples of data collection instruments.
d) Norm-referenced versus criterion referenced instruments.
e) Measurement scales.
f) Preparing data for analysis.
a) What are data?
Data refers to the kinds of information researchers obtain on the subjects of their research.
Instrument is the device (such as the a pencil-and-paper test, a questionnaire, or a rating scale) the researcher uses to collect data.
Instrumentation is defined as the whole process of preparing to collect data.
Key Questions:
1.Where will the data be collected?
- location of the data
2. When will the data be collected?
- time of the collection
3. How often are the data be collected?
- frequency of the collection
4. Who is to collect the data?
- administration of the collection
Important consideration in choosing a research instrument:
Validity – the extent to which results from it permit researchers to
draw warranted conclusions about the characteristics of
the individuals studied.
Valid instrument – measures what it is supposed to measure.
Reliability – a reliable instrument is one that gives consistent
results.
Objectivity – the absence of subjective judgments.
Usability – instrument easy to use.
b) Means of classifying data-collection instruments.
Below is the answer for 'Who provides the information?' with three main methods involved:
1) Researcher instruments
Obtained by directly on indirectly assessing the subjects of a study.
e.g. observe students in classroom, examine students records, noting the frequency of oral assessment.
2) Subject instruments
Self-report data are provided by the subject of the study themselves.
e.g. request students products (essays) for evidence, interview student .
3) Informants instruments
Provided by other by people about the subjects of a study.
e.g. interviews teachers or students and assess each student’s thinking skills based on their prior experience.
Written-response instruments include objective .
e.g., (multiple choice, true-false, matching, or short answer tests, short-essay examinations, questionnaires, interview schedules, checklists.
Performance instruments include any device design to measure either a procedure or a product. Designed to see how well procedures can be followed and assess the quality of products.
c) Examples of data collection instruments.
Researcher completes: Subject completes:
- Rating scales - Questionnaire
- Interview schedules - Self- checklist
- Observation forms - Attitude scale
- Tally sheets - Personality (or character) Inventories
- Flowchart
- Performance checklist - Achievement/ aptitude tests
- Anecdotal records - Performance tests
- Time-and-motion logs - Projective devices
- Sociometric devices
d) Norm-referenced versus criterion referenced instruments.
Norm-referenced | Criterion referenced |
Norm-referenced instruments: instruments that provide such information. Norm group: the group to which the comparison is made. | Criterion referenced: instruments that are based on a specific target for each leaner to achieve. |
e) Measurement scales.
Four types of measurement scales are nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio.
- Nominal: uses numbers to indicate membership in one or more categories.
- Ordinal: uses numbers to rank or order scores from high to low. But, there is no information regarding the differences (intervals) between point of scale
- Interval: uses numbers to represent equal intervals in different segments on a continuum. Interval scales are also scales which are defined by metrics such as logarithm.
- Ratio: uses numbers to represent equal distances from a known zero point. A ratio scale does not have negative values
f) Preparing data for analysis.
Researcher must score the data that have been collected and then organize it to facilitate analysis.
-Collected data must be scored accurately and consistently. If not, any conclusions from the data may be erroneous or misleading.
-The data usually done by transferring data to some sort of summary data sheet or card.
more elaborations and explanations can be referred in HOW TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE RESEARCH IN EDUCATION by Fraenkel, Wallen and Hyun (8th edition).
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