How wisely one makes vital research decision determines the success of a research. In research, there are many possibilities to answer the previously formulated questions. Reviewing one side of the picture reveals something that can’t be investigated by examining the other side of the picture. Likewise, one research design brings an entirely different set of consequences than others. Moreover, the results of a study will only become the theory if a series of experiments and studies end by deducing similar inferences. Whatever instrument you use in research refers to the research instrument, and selecting different instruments helps explore a situation from different aspects. Thus, this article will introduce you to a few basic types of research instruments so you can achieve your research goals more effectively.
Research Instruments- A brief introduction:
Research instruments are tools to collect, analyse, and measure data helpful for making concrete assertions about the subject of the discussion. The most common choices are surveys, experiments, tests, and questionnaires. The checklist is also an important instrument that helps students conduct good research.
It is important for all researchers to know that using an instrument is equally beneficial for studies of varying natures. Considering the merits and demerits before starting research will be great to select the best instrument for describing a fact based on good quality data collected by previously validated instruments. Thus, the following briefly describes some types of research instruments.
Surveys:
It is one of the research instruments that help researchers collect quantitative information. It comprises different questions that are sent to subjects of the study to prove some facts in the light of the recorded responses. The quantitative data collected by surveys are mostly analysed using statistical analysis techniques. It is good for collecting data from a large population in the shortest possible time. It is a popular research instrument among researchers who aim to describe the characteristics of a large population. Thus, it is the ideal instrument for increasing the generalisability of research.
Interviews:
Aninterview is a research activity that helps you contact the participants to record their responses. It allows researchers to investigate a situation from all possible aspects by asking questions of varying natures from the ideal research participants. Arranging meetings and visiting the candidates directly are ways to conduct face-to-face interviews; however, taking participants on voice or video calls are electronic means to conduct interviews for research purposes. Interviews are good for collecting information from participants by minimising the chances of subject-related biasness.
Experiments:
Basically, an experiment is an act of manipulating certain variables to see their effect on another set of variables. To put it in another way, it refers to the procedure designed to test the given hypothesis. Moreover, participants in experimental research may be human as well as animals. Based on the method of experiment, they are three types, namely, a field experiment, a natural experiment, and a controlled experiment. The best part about using experiments as a research tool is that the experimenter can control all the variables effectively to confidently share their findings with the audience.
Questionnaire:
The most commonly used research instrument helps researchers collect information directly from the participants. It seeks participants’ advice, opinions, and suggestions by structuring open or close-ended questionnaires. The most interesting fact about the questionnaire is you will not need to worry about the authenticity of results after composing good research questions. Still, if questions are faulty, there will be no chance of getting valid results. Furthermore, it is also an important tool for collecting data from a large sample size or conducting large-scale studies.
As a matter of course, the tool used to collect information from subjects directly is called research instruments. Thus, questionnaires, experiments, surveys, and interviews are discussed as the best instruments to collect data. Selecting the best research instrument for your research project depends on the research’s main goals. However, selecting one from interviews, surveys, or interview is the most confusing act. Finding a one-place solution is the best way to get out of all research-related problems.
Final thoughts:
In a nutshell, the data is the power that can help lay the foundation of research on concrete basics. Moreover, research instruments refer to different tools and methods to collect data directly from the subjects of a study. Different instruments offer different ways to record and analyse information. Therefore, selecting the right research instruments is necessary to complete all research goals. If you have any further queries about the selection process or facing any issues, you must seek research proposal help from a reliable source.
