Is it Tool or Instrument?

If research is considered as construction of new knowledge, that construction is realised through the following process;

a)    Evolving dissatisfaction over an issue or problem

b)    Formulating hypothesis to solve the problem

c)     Collecting data                                                                    

d)    Analysing data

e)    Finding 

Data collection is the milestone in the whole process of research. Data collected is analysed to reach the conclusion. Data collection depends on the tool used for the purpose.

But, is it to be called tool or instrument? Which term bears the intended meaning?

This is what discussed in the new post.

1.     Meaning

Shall we examine the dictionary meaning of both; tool and instrument?

Tool means a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function, e.g. chisel, hammer, pickaxe etc.

Instrument means a device used for measuring  speed, height, weight etc. in vehicles, shops etc.

From the definitions, it is clear that, while the tool has the general use, the instrument has the specific use of measuring or quantifying. In research,   rather than doing any function with certain physical tools, the researcher is measuring the quantity or quality of a phenomenon using specific instruments. This measured units or facts are recorded as data for research.

If one agrees with the above explanation, it is better to use ‘instrument’ instead of the tool. Following are examples of instruments used in educational research;

a)    Achievement test

b)    Performance test

c)     Paper-pencil test

d)    On-line test

e)    Questionnaire

f)      Rating scale

g)    Interview schedule

h)    Survey form

i)      Inventory

j)      Projective technique

The purpose and procedure of the construction make the instrument specific and scientific. Following table shows the purpose of each measuring instrument;

No	Instrument	Purpose
1.	Achievement test	To measure the knowledge of a  respondent in different subjects like, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc.
2.	Performance test	To measure the skill or aptitude in an area, like, measure the length, paint a picture, sing a song, narrate a story etc.
3.	Paper pencil test	To measure the knowledge of a respondent in different subjects like, Math, Physics, etc. where performance is avoided.
4.	On-line test	To measure the competence of a  respondent in different subjects like; Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc.
5.	Questionnaire	To measure interest, attitude etc. of the respondent towards subjects or issues.
6.	Rating scale	To rate the intensity of agreement, attachment or acceptance of any concept, interest, attitude etc.
7.	Interview schedule	To measure the attitude, acceptance, rejection of concepts by the respondent.
8.	Survey form	To measure or quantify any aspect.
9.	Inventory	To measure or quantify any aspects with a set of different instruments.
10.	Projective technique	To measure emotionality, reaction, attitude etc. when cues are showed or performed.

 
2.     How to construct the instruments?

   

No.	Stages of construction	What happens at each stage?
1.	Conceptualisation	This is the formulation of the instrument in rude form at least in the mind of the researcher.
2.	Defining objective	Defining the objective of the instrument. With the definition of the objective, the instrument becomes sharper.
3.	Planning of the scheme	In the planning of the scheme, number of items, expected responses, scoring etc. are planned. This planning leads to envisaging the compilation and analysis of data collected through that particular instrument.
4.	Writing the items of the instrument	Individual items of the instrument are written. This is the draft of the instrument.
5.	Editing the instrument	Both conceptual and linguistic errors are corrected.
6.	Consultation with experts	If the researcher feels the requirement of consulting with an expert, it is done at this stage of construction of the instrument.
7.	Refining on the basis of consultation with the experts	Changes suggested by the experts are made.
8.	Piloting	Testing the instrument in limited scale one or two or more times.
9.	Eliminating unnecessary items	Through eliminating the unnecessary items, the instrument becomes sharper.
10.	Refining the remaining items	Revising the content and language of each item.
11.	Editing and finalising the items	Editing layout and punctuation, and thus finalising the instrument.
12.	Printing	Printing.
13.	Duplication	If a limited number is required, photocopies are taken.
14.	Administering the instrument	Administering the instrument to the target group.

From the above discussion what one can reach as the conclusion is that it is the instrument, not the tool which a researcher requires for measuring a phenomenon. Moreover, the instrument guarantees accuracy and specificity than the tool. The process of construction of the instrument has its scientific steps.

How to Write Research Proposal?

In the post just before this, we found the essentiality of research proposal. In this post we are discussing on ‘How to write a research proposal?’

Generally universities or research institutes, with which the researcher has affiliated, would give the format or structure of research proposal.

The researcher is liable to abide by that suggestions and regulations in writing the proposal. If there is no such guidelines, researcher can think of his own format.

In a proposal the researcher suggests what she/he is going to do to complete that particular research activity. So that, the tone, style and expressions should be targeting on what she/he plans to do. It is against this background, an attempt is made here to suggest a structure and style for research proposal.

Following is the list of components seems essential in a proposal, so as to get the whole picture of the research activity to be undertaken by the researcher.

But, they are not in order. The readers of this article may make an attempt to rearrange them in logical sequence. 

·      Title

·      Calendar of Activities

·      Background of the study

·      Instruments required

·      What are the data to be captured?

·      Objectives

·      Research design proposed (Methodology)

·      Sample proposed

·      The research    problem

·      Plan for data processing

·      Need and significance of the study

·      Hypotheses

·      Plan for analysis of data

·      Research Procedure

·      Research questions

·      Plan for reporting research (chapters of report)

·      Review of related studies done so far

Following is the content expectancy of each component when writing them as part of research proposal;

a)  Title

Research is always known after the title that the researcher likes to give. The title needs to be concise and precise, but it should be indicative of answers to the questions, like; what is the research, how is the research, what are the variables, etc.

b)     Calendar of activities   

Calendar of activities is the date-wise list of activities. Such a list makes the research activities time bound. Moreover, calendar of activities is the reminder to the researcher to look forward and backward to know whether the check-points of the research have been covered.

c)    Background of the study

Research arises against the background that the researcher knows well. It may be an unanswered question, dissatisfaction of the researcher, or a gap that the previous researcher has made. Experiences in the field of occupation of the researcher as a teacher or teacher educator will also give enough background for undertaking research.

  

d)   Instruments to be used

Instruments here means, tools for data collection. Under this heading the researcher writes about the measuring instruments she/he is going to use, with defined purpose. The methods proposed, through which the instruments would be developed, are also to be written by the researcher. Whether the instruments are purchased from other researchers or from research institutes or adapted or constructed by the researcher herself/himself should also be shown clearly.

e)   What are the data to be captured?

Researcher reaches certain findings on the basis of analysis of available data. In order to happen this stage of analysis, details of raw data be visualised by the researcher. So that there must be clear plan about the type of data, volume of data and means of capturing data. If qualitative data is necessary, that should also be proposed.

f)     Objectives

As objectives decide everything about research, that part should be stated sharply under this heading. But one point to be kept in mind is that,     objectives should be stated in observable and measurable terms. Don’t use terms, like; to know …, to understand …, they are not in observable and measurable terms. But use terms, like; to determine, to find out, to compare etc. (for more clarity read my earlier posts).

  

g)   Research design (Methodology) proposed

There are different types of research; status study, descriptive study, analytical study, experimental research and historical research. Each one has certain features as well as merits and demerits. The researcher selects the most appropriate design considering the objectives and other resources to be put for research activity. Anyhow, the branding like, status study, descriptive study, analytical study, experimental research should be shown in the proposal. Unless it is stated specifically, paraphernalia of the research could not be integrated.

h) Sample proposed

Sample is derived from the population, so details of population should be given before stating the sample. Method of selection of sample should also be sated.

i) The research    problem

Research is said to be a quest, a pursuance for new knowledge. This seeking of knowledge is the consequence of dissatisfaction that the researcher experienced over an issue. It is from the problem felt by the researcher, an investigation gets its birth. So the real problem put for research must be stated somewhere in the beginning of the research proposal.

j) Plan for data processing

The data collected should be compiled and classified before they are put for statistical operations. If there is plan to use any software, details about the version may also be shown.

k) Need and significance of the study

It is from the need and significance stated, the novelty of the study is known. So the researcher has the obligation in the proposal to answer that how the study is timely and needy.

l) Hypotheses

Hypothesis is tentative insight on solving problem. When writing the hypotheses, the researcher should be careful in stating them in equilibrium with the objectives.

m) Plan for analysis of data

This section of the proposal shows the plan of the researcher to manipulate the compiled and classified data according to the objectives and hypotheses. So the researcher should denote what statistical operations are necessary to reach findings, and for testing the hypotheses. Total number of statistical analysis and factual analysis required in the research is to be considered in advance.

n) Research Procedure

According to the type of research proposed, the research procedure varies. This part of the research proposal is really the visioning on the research process from beginning to the end.

o) Research questions

Research questions are the set of questions made by the researcher that work as guideline at the different courses of action. Research questions are to be formulated at the conceptualisation stage itself and are to be stated in the proposal.

 p) Plan for reporting research (chapters of the report)

Actually report writing is to be done only after completing the research process, including; conceptualisation, planning, implementation of research/intervention/experimentation, data collection, analysis and findings. Preliminary actions leading to writing of report can be started from the initial stage of the research itself.

In this section of the proposal, the researcher writes her/his plans for interim reports, as well as the final report. With regard to the structure and size of the final report, universities and research institutes have their own stipulations, which are to be obeyed by the researcher. Still there is no harm in stating the plan of chapters in the following manner;

Chapter 1.      Introduction

Chapter 2.      Theoretical aspects, if any

Chapter 3.      Review of related studies

Chapter 4.      Design of the study (Methodology)

Chapter 5.      Analysis, findings and interpretations

Chapter 6.      Summary, conclusion and recommendations

 q) Review of related studies done so far

Review of related studies begins before conceptualisation of the research. It is with review the researcher finds the gap if any, in whole research activities for knowledge construction. What the researcher can show here in the proposal is the summary of review of related literature that she/he has done so far. The researcher can point out the sources of summaries of related studies yet to be completed.

 

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Readers, won’t you make an attempt to sequence the components, with a reasoning?