PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1 – Quarter 4 1. Interview.

This pertains to soliciting specific information from

LAS 3: Qualitative Research Instruments the participants through conversing and asking questions. Using
and Data Collection and Analysis Procedures this type of data gathering instrument makes the researcher as an
“interviewer” while the participant as an “interviewee.” Interview
Objective: schedule should be prepared by the researcher as a research tool.
1. Plans data collection, data gathering instrument, and analysis This will allow him/her to be guided in getting the data from the
procedures participants. In addition, the researcher should also consider
his/her communication skills when conducting an interview, that is,
A. What’s New he/she must know how to build rapport, paraphrase questions, use
Read the situation and answer the following question. non-verbal and body language, and give ample time for the
Peter is a senior high school student who is participant-interviewee to express his/her thoughts and
planning for his qualitative research experiences towards a certain topic. Finally, the use of audiotapes
undertaking. He has already identified the or videotapes for recording purposes is also highly encouraged to
method as well as the target participants of his ensure that all the data needed can be obtained from the
study. However, he still has a question on his participants while good rapport and communication does not
mind on how he can arrive at his research hamper. It is important to note that the researcher should seek
findings. Peter needs help. What do you think are the three key permission from the participant whenever the former plans to
verbs that will serve as his guide in meeting his research goal? record the conversations during the interview session. Meanwhile,
Find your answers in the grid. life tells and stories which pertain to the narratives of life
experiences can also be effectively gathered through utilizing the
1. ______________________ interview type of research instrument.
2. ______________________
3. ______________________

B. What is It
At this phase of your research journey, you are now equipped with
the basic knowledge on selecting appropriate research design and
sampling technique for your proposed qualitative study. As you
move forward, your next step is to plan on how you will obtain and
engage with the data. Remember the three key verbs that you
found in the grid: (1) prepare; (2) collect; and (3) analyze. As part
of planning, you should ask questions such as: (1) How should I
prepare my research instrument?; (2) How should I collect
data using my instrument?; and (3) How should I analyze the
collected data? 2. Focus group discussion. This engages the researcher with a
group of people to obtain the needed data for the study. Here, the
Data Gathering Instruments researcher serves as a facilitator who will guide the discussion of
Once the researcher finally designed his/her research the topic under investigation. Further, the researcher has his/her
methodology in the conduct of the study and likewise identified the important role to establish a good atmosphere where a group of
participants who would provide the necessary data, planning on participants normally ranging from 6 to 12 persons are free to
how the data will be gathered to the participants should be express their thoughts and ideas about a certain topic
considered. Hence, familiarity with the characteristics of the simultaneously. At the end of the sessions, the gathered data will
existing and commonly used instruments as well as with the be used to produce social knowledge which will be reflected on the
guidelines in instrument word constructions plays a vital role in findings of the study.
research undertaking. It is important to note that an appropriate
research instrument with its corresponding questions will enable 3. Observation. This allows the researcher to engage actively in
the researcher to ensure the credibility of the gathered data as well the conduct of the study to understand the phenomenon by
as the results of the study. observing the behavior and actions of a group of people in an
everyday context. Normally, the researcher prepares an
Most Frequently Used Qualitative Data Gathering Instruments “observation guide” or “observation checklist” to obtain the data
It is said that one of the distinct characteristics of a qualitative needed for the study. Further, it is also important to note that
research is its type of data which do not merely deal with observation method should be done by the researcher in an
numerical value, hence, cannot be analyzed through mathematical inconspicuous manner to ensure that the data and findings of the
and statistical formula. These qualitative data can only be obtained study are reliable and trustworthy.
through a qualitative research instrument. De Trigueros et al
(2017) presented the most frequently used qualitative data
collection instruments. These are as follows:

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 them. Hence, this should be avoided, and the item should be
constructed with only one question.

Characteristics of a Good Data Gathering Instrument

Here, as cited from the book of Cristobal and Cristobal (2017), are
presented the characteristics of a good data gathering instrument.
These are as follows:
1. It must be concise. The researcher should consider that all
questions to be presented are specific yet can gather the needed
data. Here, it is suggested that each question should be less than
20 words and the participant can answer the question in the least
time as possible (Shelley, 1984).
4. Document Analysis. This is represented by existing sources 2. It has questions arranged from simplest to complex order.
either primary or secondary that are available from the target Observing the sequence of questions plays an important role to
setting such as schools, hospitals, city halls, and other similar gather the needed data from the participants while good rapport is
types of offices. Here, the researcher will analyze the obtained established. In line with this, the researcher may begin soliciting
data from reports, records, articles, and personal documents to data by asking first interesting as well as easy types of questions
understand the phenomenon under investigation. before proceeding to heavy and difficult questions.
3. It has questions following the sequence of problems stated
Guidelines for Wordings of Instrument Questions in Chapter I. It is to note that the questions of the instrument to be
After the researcher determines the instrument that he/she will use used are all based on the questions posted in the Statement of the
in gathering the data needed for the study, he/she then ensures Problem. The researcher must arrange and categorize each
that questions to be appeared from the instrument are properly instrument question according to the pattern presented in the
constructed to secure the reliability and trustworthiness of the Statement of the Problem. When it is considered, the process of
research results. Hence, proper wordings for question data collection will be efficiently conducted, and this even further
construction should be considered. Cristobal and Cristobal (2017) helps the researcher to easily analyze the obtained data for
cited guidelines for wording of instrument questions These are as discussion purposes.
follows: 4. It should be trustworthy. Before the researcher will use the
1. The instrument questions should be stated in an affirmative instrument for data collection, he/she must seek first for
manner. When the researcher plans to construct his/her consultation with the experts then secure their approval regarding
instrument questions, he/she must ensure that these are always the validity of the questions. Here, it should be ensured that the
stated positively. This further means that “negative words” such as instrument is properly made and can really get the data needed for
“no,” “not,” “never,” and the like should be avoided since these the study.
might give confusion to the participants whether they should 5. It must be easily interpreted. An instrument which consists of
answer “yes” or “no.” questions that are concise, positively stated, and single-barreled
can help the researcher to easily interpret the data gathered from
it. Hence, ensuring the rigor of the results can be attained.

Data Gathering Procedure

This phase of research undertaking is done in a systematic and
logical manner while research ethical considerations are always
2. The instrument questions should avoid ambiguous ensured.
construction. When constructing a research question, the
researcher is suggested not to incorporate words such as “many,” Ethical Considerations in the Conduct of Data Collection
“few,” “always,” “usually,” and the like as possible because these Prior to the actual procedure of data collection with the most
may make the question ambiguously constructed. This type of preferred research instrument, the researcher must bear on his/her
question may not solicit accurate responses from the participants. mind the important considerations in conducting such activity.
Here, engagement with the participants must be ensured
to be moral and right. Fouka and Mantzorou (n.d.) as cited from
Health Science Journal present the ethical considerations in data
collection. The following are as follows:
3. The instrument questions should not be stated in a double- 1. Informed consent. Providing a consent letter informing the
barreled form. It is important for the researcher to state his/her target participants is necessary to be done by the researcher. The
instrument question by having a single question for each item said letter or form should primarily state the objective of the study
appearing in the instrument. Double barreled question means that justifying their need for participation. Their roles, responsibilities,
a single item is composed of two or more questions which may and rights should also be clearly discussed (e.g., the involvement
affect the response of the participants by not completely answering
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of the participants is solely voluntary, and they have the right to 3. Post-data Gathering. This phase is conducted after the data
withdraw from the activity without coercion). have been already collected and transcribed. Here, the researcher
2. Beneficence – do not harm. The data collection procedure will present the transcribed data to the participants to check the
should not bring any harm with the participants. The researcher accuracy of the collected and transcribed data. In addition, the
should avoid decisions and actions that may cause harms such as researcher may also perform some follow-up activities such
physical, emotional, and the like to the participants (e.g., the as informal interviews to clarify some unclear information as well
researcher should be sensitive enough with the place, time, and as to ensure the rigor of the possible results of the study.
even the manner the data will be collected to the participants). In
addition, it is also to note that the researcher should inform the Data Analysis
participants of the possible risk and harm prior to the process of Once the researcher has collected the needed data from the
data collection. sources or participants, he/she then performs data analysis. The
3. Respect for anonymity and confidentiality. Securing the procedure of data analysis plays an important role so that the
safety of the obtained information, data, and even the identity of researcher can come up with the accurate findings of a study.
the participants should always be considered by the researcher.
Here, the participants should be informed that all the data they will Transcribing, Coding, and Drawing Themes from Data
provide are secured and safe and will only be used for the study As cited by Cristobal and Cristobal (2017) from their book titled,
purposes. Securing the anonymity of the participants is done by “Practical Research 1 for Senior High School,” qualitative data
not collecting personal and identifying information to the analysis aims to identify, examine, and interpret patterns and
participants. Thus, they are not fully known by others, even the themes in textual data. Hence, the researcher should consider
researcher himself/herself. On the contrary, confidentiality is procedures that will help him/her attain the purpose of analysis.
secured by means of obtaining data and personal information to The said data analysis procedure pertains to the following:
the participants with some sorts of modification (e.g., the names of 1. Transcribing. The first step the researcher should do once
the participants are not identified by others except the researcher he/she has obtained data is to transcribe them. Data transcription
through modifying them into pseudonyms). aims to create an organized text-based version of data gathered
4. Respect for privacy. One of the prerogatives of the participants from interview, observation, and other types of qualitative research
is to have freedom of what information they want to provide to the tools (e.g., the researcher creates a text version of an audio
researcher. Hence, it is important to consider that the researcher recording of the interview conducted). Moreover, data transcription
should not coerce the participants to provide his desired responses enables the researcher to immerse into the data he/she collected.
or data. In addition, the researcher should also be considerate This further helps him/her to sort and organize data for easy
in collecting the data to the participants. Here, the data should be understanding and analysis.
collected in the most convenient time and most comfortable place 2. Coding. The next step the researcher should perform after
for the participants. Finally, the collected data should be secured transcribing the data is to code them. Coding aims to categorize
and be kept in a locked location where other people have no the data by creating smaller groupings for easy analysis of the
access to it. transcribed data. The formulated codes can be a word or
5. Vulnerable group of people. Some research requires other phrase that are used by the researcher to describe the meaning
groups of people who are considered vulnerable as the provider of and context of the data. These can be further created using either
data. However, these groups which may pertain to children, minor the prior knowledge of the researcher because of reviewed
students, aged people, people with disabilities and the like cannot literature or the observed apparent codes of the researcher as
protect themselves and are also at risk of being deceived and he/she reviews the actual data. In addition, the researcher may
forced to participate in the study. Therefore, the researcher should employ either manual or automated coding.
seek permission to the parent or guardian of the target participant 3. Drawing themes. The final step of data analysis deals with
(e.g., parent consent form is sent to inform and seek permission to drawing of themes based on the transcribed and coded data. Here,
let the student/child be a participant of the study). the researcher may utilize different qualitative analyses such as
the commonly used content and thematic analysis.
Procedure of Data Collection The researcher may employ content analysis if he/she desires to
After the researcher determined the research instrument that quantify data by counting occurrences of codes. Here, the
he/she would utilize in the study, planning of data collection researcher begins by coding the data then generating categories
procedure should be then followed. and subcategories. Although the study is qualitative in nature, such
1. Pre-data Gathering. This phase is also termed as “preliminary a type of analysis helps the researcher easily draws themes by
data gathering” wherein the researcher solicits necessary data to determining how words and their patterns are used in context. On
determine if the study can really be pursued. Here, the researcher the other hand, thematic analysis can be utilized by the researcher
conducts pre-interview with the possible sources of data and the if he/she aims to explore patterns in qualitative data usually
target participants of the study. It is to note that before conducting obtained from interview and observation. Here, the researcher
the actual data collection, the researcher must ensure that starts by coding the data then generating themes and subthemes.
participants are available, and the needed data can be obtained. This type of analysis helps the researcher to observe the
2. Data Gathering. This phase pertains to the actual procedure of connections among the themes derived from the transcribed data
data collection. Here, the researcher has already known his/her so that the phenomenon under investigation can be understood.
participants. Hence, securing their participation through a consent Nowadays, the researcher can have different ways so that data
form has already been made. Similarly, administering the analysis can be done efficiently. Besides the traditional manual
instrument is done in the most convenient time and most procedure of data analysis, various software such as HubSpot,
comfortable place for the participants to provide the data needed MAXQDA, Quirkos, Qualtrics, and Raven’s Eye are now available
for the study. (Fontanella, 2021). The following have key features that will

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provide the researcher a better experience of analyzing qualitative 2. What type of interview requires the researcher to prepare sets of
data. questions to be asked to the participants?
Ensuring Trustworthiness of Data a. covert c. unstructured
After the researcher takes the data analysis procedure, he/she b. structured d. semi-structured
then will ensure that the result of the said procedure provides 3. Which of the following does not describe focus group
trustworthy data and results. Unlike quantitative research that discussion?
employs validity and reliability tests, qualitative research a. It requires a group of participants normally ranging from 10 to 30
establishes the rigor of data by considering Lincoln and Guba’s persons.
(1985) Trustworthiness Criteria. These include the following: b. It engages the researcher with a group of people to obtain the
1. Credibility. It pertains to the confidence in the truth value of the needed data for the study.
data and their corresponding interpretations. One way to ensure c. It allows the participants to express their thoughts and ideas
the credibility of data is by conducting peer debriefing with other about a certain topic simultaneously.
researchers and experts who can substantiate the study. Likewise, d. It asks the researcher to serve as a facilitator who will guide the
member checking with the sources or participants of data is done discussion of the topic under investigation.
to confirm the accuracy of data. 4. How should a research instrument question be constructed?
2. Transferability. It means that the findings revealed from the a. negative c. ambiguous
data can be applied in other settings and groups. To establish b. affirmative d. double-barreled
transferability, the researcher should present a thick description of 5. Which of the following actions is unethical in qualitative research
scope and delimitation, method and technique, and participants undertaking?
and setting of the study that will justify how he/she arrived at the a. The researcher coerced the participants to provide his desired
findings presented in the study. data.
3. Dependability. It suggests that the findings should be b. The researcher ensured the confidentiality of data he obtained
consistent. The researcher can ensure dependability by adopting from the participants.
relevant theories, literature, and studies which should be cited in c. The researcher collected the data in the most convenient time
the current study. Such an action can prove that the findings of the for the participants.
researcher are consistent with the claims of existing theories and d. The researcher sent the participants a letter informing them of
with other available research literature and studies. the objectives of the study as well as their corresponding roles and
4. Confirmability. It implies that the data and the findings of the responsibilities.
study should be neutral and objective. This can be established by 6. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a good research
the researcher through securing documents and records such as instrument?
raw data and field notes that will justify the findings of the study. a. It is concise.
These data-evidence can be presented in the appendix part b. It is trustworthy.
of the research manuscript for confirmation purposes. Now that c. It has questions arranged from complex to simplest order.
you are equipped with the basic knowledge on the concepts and d. It has questions following the sequence of problems stated in
procedure of qualitative research instrument construction as well Chapter I.
as data collection and analysis, it is your time to plan for your own 7. What phase of data collection the researcher should ensure the
research undertaking. availability of the participants and the needed data?
a. pre-data collection c. actual data collection
C. What I Have Learned b. post-data collection d. follow-up data collection
Read the following research procedures carefully. Sequence the 8. What is the aim of transcribing data?
following procedures using the numbers 1 (first step) to 5 (last a. to draw themes from the collected data
step). Write your answers on the blank. b. to quantify data by counting occurrences of codes
____ Collect the data to the participants using the research c. to create an organized text-based version of data collected
instrument. d. to categorize the data by creating smaller groupings for easy
____ Construct the research instrument questions or guides. analysis
____ Inform the participants regarding their roles, responsibilities, 9. What trustworthiness criterion of Lincoln and Guba (1985)
and possible risk or harm they may encounter in the conduct of the pertains to the confidence in the truth value of the data and their
study. corresponding interpretations?
____ Transcribe, code, then analyze the data provided by the a. credibility c. transferability
participants. b. dependability d. confirmability
____ Decide on the research instrument appropriate to the nature 10. How can the researcher establish the dependability of results?
of the study. a. by conducting peer debriefing
b. by adopting relevant theories, literature, and studies
D. Assessment c. by securing documents and records such as raw data and field
Read each question carefully and choose the best answer in each notes
item. Write the letter of your answers on the blank. d. by presenting a thick description of scope and delimitation,
1. Which of the following instruments is least effective in collecting method and technique, and participants and setting of the study
qualitative data?
a. interview c. questionnaire
b. observation d. documentary analysis

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Here is an example of the research instrument and its data
collection and analysis procedures that will serve as your guide: