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Research Methodologies: Research Instruments

• Research Methodology Basics
• Research Instruments
• Types of Research Methodologies

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Types of Research Instruments

A research instrument is a tool you will use to help you collect, measure and analyze the data you use as part of your research.  The choice of research instrument will usually be yours to make as the researcher and will be whichever best suits your methodology. 

There are many different research instruments you can use in collecting data for your research:

• Interviews  (either as a group or one-on-one). You can carry out interviews in many different ways. For example, your interview can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. The difference between them is how formal the set of questions is that is asked of the interviewee. In a group interview, you may choose to ask the interviewees to give you their opinions or perceptions on certain topics.
• Surveys  (online or in-person). In survey research, you are posing questions in which you ask for a response from the person taking the survey. You may wish to have either free-answer questions such as essay style questions, or you may wish to use closed questions such as multiple choice. You may even wish to make the survey a mixture of both.
• Focus Groups.  Similar to the group interview above, you may wish to ask a focus group to discuss a particular topic or opinion while you make a note of the answers given.
• Observations.  This is a good research instrument to use if you are looking into human behaviors. Different ways of researching this include studying the spontaneous behavior of participants in their everyday life, or something more structured. A structured observation is research conducted at a set time and place where researchers observe behavior as planned and agreed upon with participants.

These are the most common ways of carrying out research, but it is really dependent on your needs as a researcher and what approach you think is best to take. It is also possible to combine a number of research instruments if this is necessary and appropriate in answering your research problem.

Data Collection

How to Collect Data for Your Research   This article covers different ways of collecting data in preparation for writing a thesis.

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What is a Research Instrument?

• By DiscoverPhDs
• October 9, 2020

The term research instrument refers to any tool that you may use to collect or obtain data, measure data and analyse data that is relevant to the subject of your research.

Research instruments are often used in the fields of social sciences and health sciences. These tools can also be found within education that relates to patients, staff, teachers and students.

The format of a research instrument may consist of questionnaires, surveys, interviews, checklists or simple tests. The choice of which specific research instrument tool to use will be decided on the by the researcher. It will also be strongly related to the actual methods that will be used in the specific study.

What Makes a Good Research Instrument?

A good research instrument is one that has been validated and has proven reliability. It should be one that can collect data in a way that’s appropriate to the research question being asked.

The research instrument must be able to assist in answering the research aims , objectives and research questions, as well as prove or disprove the hypothesis of the study.

It should not have any bias in the way that data is collect and it should be clear as to how the research instrument should be used appropriately.

What are the Different Types of Interview Research Instruments?

The general format of an interview is where the interviewer asks the interviewee to answer a set of questions which are normally asked and answered verbally. There are several different types of interview research instruments that may exist.

• A structural interview may be used in which there are a specific number of questions that are formally asked of the interviewee and their responses recorded using a systematic and standard methodology.
• An unstructured interview on the other hand may still be based on the same general theme of questions but here the person asking the questions (the interviewer) may change the order the questions are asked in and the specific way in which they’re asked.
• A focus interview is one in which the interviewer will adapt their line or content of questioning based on the responses from the interviewee.
• A focus group interview is one in which a group of volunteers or interviewees are asked questions to understand their opinion or thoughts on a specific subject.
• A non-directive interview is one in which there are no specific questions agreed upon but instead the format is open-ended and more reactionary in the discussion between interviewer and interviewee.

What are the Different Types of Observation Research Instruments?

An observation research instrument is one in which a researcher makes observations and records of the behaviour of individuals. There are several different types.

Structured observations occur when the study is performed at a predetermined location and time, in which the volunteers or study participants are observed used standardised methods.

Naturalistic observations are focused on volunteers or participants being in more natural environments in which their reactions and behaviour are also more natural or spontaneous.

A participant observation occurs when the person conducting the research actively becomes part of the group of volunteers or participants that he or she is researching.

Final Comments

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What are Research Instruments

A research instrument is a survey, questionnaire, test, scale, rating, or tool designed to measure the variable(s), characteristic(s), or information of interest, often a behavioral or psychological characteristic. Research instruments can be helpful tools to your research study.

"Careful planning for data collection can help with setting realistic goals. Data collection instrumentation, such as surveys, physiologic measures (blood pressure or temperature), or interview guides, must be identified and described. Using previously validated collection instruments can save time and increase the study's credibility. Once the data collection procedure has been determined, a time line for completion should be established." (Pierce, 2009, p. 159)

• Pierce, L.L. (2009). Twelve steps for success in the nursing research journey. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing 40(4), 154-162.

A research instrument is developed as a method of data generation by researchers and information about the research instrument is shared in order to establish the credibility and validity of the method. Whether other researchers may use the research instrument is the decision of the original author-researchers. They may make it publicly available for free or for a price or they may not share it at all. Sources about research instruments have a purpose of describing the instrument to inform. Sources may or may not provide the instrument itself or the contact information of the author-researcher. The onus is on the reader-researcher to try to find the instrument itself or to contact the author-researcher to request permission for its use, if necessary.

How to choose the right one?

Are you trying to find background information about a research instrument? Or are you trying to find and obtain an actual copy of the instrument?

If you need information about a research instrument, what kind of information do you need? Do you need information on the structure of the instrument, its content, its development, its psychometric reliability or validity? What do you need?

If you plan to obtain an actual copy of the instrument to use in research, you need to be concerned not only with obtaining the instrument, but also obtaining permission to use the instrument. Research instruments may be copyrighted. To obtain permission, contact the copyright holder in writing (print or email).

If someone posts a published test or instrument without the permission of the copyright holder, they may be violating copyright and could be legally liable. 

What are you trying to measure? For example, if you are studying depression, are you trying to measure the duration of depression, the intensity of depression, the change over time of the episodes, … what? The instrument must measure what you need or it is useless to you.

Factors to consider when selecting an instrument are • Well-tested factorial structure, validity & reliability • Availability of supportive materials and technology for entering, analyzing and interpreting results • Availability of normative data as a reference for evaluating, interpreting, or placing in context individual test scores • Applicable to wide range of participants • Can also be used as personal development tool/exercise • User-friendliness & administrative ease • Availability; can you obtain it? • Does it require permission from the owner to use it? • Financial cost • Amount of time required

Check the validity and reliability of tests and instruments. Do they really measure what they claim to measure? Do they measure consistently over time, with different research subjects and ethnic groups, and after repeated use? Research articles that used the test will often include reliability and validity data.

How Locate Instrument

Realize that searching for an instrument may take a lot of time. They may be published in a book or article on a particular subject. They be published and described in a dissertation. They may posted on the Internet and freely available. A specific instrument may be found in multiple publications and have been used for a long time. Or it may be new and only described in a few places. It may only be available by contacting the person who developed it, who may or may not respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.

There are a variety of sources that may used to search for research instruments. They include books, databases, Internet search engines, Web sites, journal articles, and dissertations.

A few key sources and search tips are listed in this guide.

Permission to Use the Test

If you plan to obtain an actual copy of the instrument to use in research, you need to be concerned not only with obtaining the instrument, but also obtaining permission to use the instrument. Research instruments are copyrighted. To obtain permission, contact the copyright holder to obtain permission in writing (print or email). Written permission is a record that you obtained permission.

It is a good idea to have them state in wiritng that they are indeed the copyright holder and that they grant you permission to use the instrument. If you wish to publish the actual instrument in your paper, get permission for that, too. You may write about the instrument without obtaining permission. (But remember to cite it!)

If someone posts a published test or instrument without the permission of the copyright holder, they are violating copyright and could be legally liable. 

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Research Tools & Instruments Guide

• Choosing a Research Instrument
• Instrument Reviews & Validation
• Research Methodology

Librarian Team

[email protected]

• conduct research to find candidate instruments that may be suitable to measure  your topic variables
• locate instrument reviews of the candidates to narrow the suitability for your purposes e.g. if it is replicable in another study, is it in print, does it meet university standards for validation etc
• find a research study article  in the library that validates the chosen instrument 
• locate the owner and obtain permission to use the instrument in your work
• Let's Talk About the Research Instruments FAQs about research instruments.

1. Finding an instrument to measure a variable  eg. depression

• start with the ETS Test Link (search by descriptor) 
• Search in the Library in: CINAHL, Nursing Reference Center, ProQuest Central, Proquest Dissertations
• Search online in indexes such as:  ERIC,  PubMed
• scanning references from dissertations (in the library and online), journal articles (in the library) or book chapters about cited tests (your textbook?)
• the information may include: a description, a critique, an explanation of use, or the full-text of the test
• each library database and online resource varies as to what is included in each reference entry.

2. Locating Instrument Reviews to narrow the list of possibilities

• for standardized reviews, search in BUROS Center for Testing for basic information on the instrument and the owner
• Search in the library in: CINAHL, ProQuest Central, NRC, PQDT
• Search online in: ERIC, PubMed

Adapted from Health Sciences Library: University of Washington. LibGuide: Measurement Tools

TIPS for finding reviews:

3. Determining the Validity of Your Instrument

The requirement to use a validated instrument to measure your research outcomes can be met by locating scholarly research articles that use your instrument. Search your instrument in the library collections, limiting to peer-review, scholarly research articles and preview the articles by clicking into the title to view the data describing the research methods. Be sure to confirm with your advisor/instructor that your chosen tool and validation meets the criteria for your project. Check with your advisor to confirm that your resources are adequate for validation.

4. Obtaining Permission to Use an Instrument: The American Sentinel Library does not house test instruments nor grant permission for use in projects. 

• most instruments are commercially owned and available through test publishers 
• all measurement tools require permission to use  
• there are some exceptions, such as tools through RAND Healthcare (see list below)
• for commercial tests, allow time for order and delivery.
• out of print tests may belong to the original author, contact them or researchers who validated the instrument for information

Adapted from Health Sciences Library: University of Washington. LibGuide: Measurement Tools/Research Instruments. Accessed August 16, 2019

Locate the the Owner contact information

• look in the text of an article that validated the instrument for researcher contact or instrument information
• look for author/owner information in one of the online repositories listed below
• contact the copyright holder for permission
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• Last Updated: Apr 18, 2024 10:32 PM
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Research Instruments

Sathiyaseelan, Manoranjitham M.Sc (N), Ph.D *

* Professor, College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore

The research instruments are the tools that the researcher uses to collect data. There are different types of instruments based on the structure or format, purpose, nature, and availability. The common types of instruments used in the nursing studies are questionnaires and scales. Instruments are selected based on the research question. The selection of instrument is a very important part of the research process and is lengthy and involving various steps. The credibility of an instrument depends on the validity and reliability. Whether, standardized or developed by the researcher, the validity and reliability has to be established before it is used.

Introduction

Instrument is the generic term that researchers use for a measurement device e.g., questionnaires, checklists. The selection of a research instrument is a very crucial step in the research process. It is used to measure the study variables. An extensive literature search will help the researcher to identify the appropriate instrument to be used. The type of research instrument is decided based on reviewing the data needs. A research instrument should capture each variable in terms of its conceptual or theoretical definition (Polit & Beck, 2012).

Classification

The research instruments can be classified based on the structure, purpose, nature, and availability of the instrument (see Figure 1 ).

According to the structure or format, the instrument is further classified as questionnaires and scales. These are commonly used instruments in nursing research (Burns, & Grove, 2011).

1. Questionnaires

Questionnaires are the most frequently used instrument to collect data. It helps to gather data concerning knowledge, attitudes, opinions, facts etc. It can be open- ended or closed-ended questions. The open-ended questions allow the subjects give spontaneous opinions. In this type, the researcher has less control over subjects’ answers. Closed- ended questions allow subjects to select an answer from among several choices. The questions should be constructed using simple language and should signify one idea e.g., To assess the annual income of a subject, an open-ended question can be framed in the following way:

What is your family's average income during the last year? On the other hand, the same question can also be closed ended.

What was your family's average income during the last year?

• less than . 1000/-
• . 1001 – 5000/-
• . 5001 – 10,000/-
• More than . 10,000/

Scales ask the respondents to rank some trait or ability on a continuum of possible responses. The common types of scales are Likert scale, Guttman scale, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Likert scales require subjects to respond to a series of statements to express a view point. Guttman scale is composed of set of items that are arranged in an order, so that an individual who agrees with a particular item also agrees with items of lower order. Visual analog scales are used to measure the subjective phenomena. An example for Likert scale is given below:

Ms. K, an engineering graduate wanted to investigate job satisfaction of IT professionals. Hence, she used a self-reported scale to collect data. One of the items in that scale is

An example for a Guttmann scale would be as follows:

• - Nursing process ensures to identify perceived needs of patients
• - Nursing process helps to identify actual and potential problems of patients
• - Nursing process aids in prioritizing the care of the patients
• - Nursing process helps to maintain quality while delivering care
• - Nursing students should be empowered to use nursing process approach

Figure 2 is an example of a Visual Analogue Scale. Mr. M, a critical care nurse wanted to study the fear in adults using a visual analogue scale projected below

The types of research instrument based on the purpose are classified into cognitive, affective, and psychomotor research instruments which is outlined in Figure 3 with examples. The cognitive research instruments are used to measure the academic achievements of the subjects. The affective research instruments are used to assess the feelings, values, and attitudes towards self and others. The psychomotor research instruments are used to assess the subject's feelings and thoughts to an ambiguous stimulus (Brink & Wood, 1989; Richard, 2013).

According to the nature of the instrument used for data collection, it is grouped into researcher-completed instruments and subject-completed instruments, distinguished by those instruments that researchers administer versus those that are completed by participants. Data collection tools used by the researcher and the subject are listed in Table 1 . The research question determines the type of instrument to be used for collecting data (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).

Research instruments are also classified as standardized tools and researcher-developed tools (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014).

1. Standardized tools: Standardized tools are those which are already developed and validated by researchers being used for studies according to the need. Some tools are freely available especially for learners in research and for those projects which does not involve generation of income or have any business motive. It is available for the development of knowledge and evidence for further practice in the profession. However, the researcher has to obtain permission from the author of the instrument or give appropriate credit to the author e.g., Ms. M wanted to investigate anxiety among primary care givers of patients with bipolar disorder. Hence she used Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (1959), which is a standardized research tool.

2. Researcher-developed tools: The researcher develops an instrument based on the specific need of the study. Instrument development is complex and time consuming. It involves defining the concept to be measured, clarifying the target population, developing the items, assessing the items for content validity, develop instructions for respondents and users, pretest and pilot the test items, and estimating reliability and validity e.g., Mr. K, a psychiatric nurse wanted to assess perception of patients who are under restraints. He developed a tool, which was content validated by the faculty in the department of psychiatric nursing and pretested for its reliability, which was statistically estimated to be .81.

Selection of research instrument

The type of research instrument determines the data collection methods. The most common measurement methods used in nursing research are physiological measurement, observational measurement, interviews, questionnaires, and scales. The selection of a suitable instrument is of vital importance for a successful research. An appropriate instrument is useful to measure or collect complete data related to the research question. One or more tools may be used in combination depending on the purpose of the study. The following questions can be addressed by the researcher to determine the best instrument for measuring the study variables (Burns & Grove, 2011; Tools of Research, 2015).

• - Does the instrument measure what the researcher wants to measure?
• - Does the instrument reflect the conceptual definition of the variable?
• - Is the readability level of the instrument appropriate for the study population?
• - How sensitive is the instrument in detecting small differences in the phenomenon intended to measure?
• - What is the process of obtaining, administering and scoring the instrument?
• - Is there any cost associated with the instrument?
• - What evidence is available related to the reliability and validity of the instrument?

The process of selecting the research instrument is illustrated in Figure 4 .

HOW to Find Research Instruments

Books about research.

Information Literacy Coordinator

What are Research Instruments?

Research instruments are tools used to collect, measure, and analyze data related to your subject.

Research instruments can be  tests ,  surveys ,  scales ,  questionnaires , or even  checklists .

To assure the strength of your study, it is important to use previously validated instruments!

Finding Research Instruments

Sage Research Methods

This database contains information suited to all levels of researchers, from undergrads starting their first projects to the most senior faculty. It contains books, reference works, case studies, sample datasets, and videos. There is everything a researcher needs to design and execute a research project. 

You can explore the Methods Map in this database for guidance on:

• Designing a research project
• Quantitative methods design
• Qualitative methods design
• The practice of data analysis
• and more...

PsycINFO 1887-Current (EbscoHost)  

• This APA database contains useful information on Tests & Measures.                                                                     
• In searching, opt for the Tests & Measures selection to retrieve articles with relevant tests and measures
• Also refer to this LINK for more details about using PsycInfo
• Link to some educational resources on research instruments
• Selecting, developing, and evaluating research instruments

BOOKS from the ZU Library

Developing Research Instruments

Suggested sources of information:

• Electronic Questionnaires Design and Implementation
• Fundamental issues in questionnaire design

Instrument Development : Sage Research Methods                                     

Tips for developing and testing questionnaires

Using Cronbach’s Alpha When Developing and Reporting Research Instruments

• Magowe, M. K. M. (2012). Procedures for an instrument development study : The Botswana experience: Research instrument development procedures.  International Nursing Review,  59 (2), 281-288.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2011.00950.x
• Zhang, H., & Schuster, T. (2018). Questionnaire instrument development in primary health care research : A plea for the use of Bayesian inference.  Canadian Family Physician,  64 (9), 699-700.

Assessing the Reliability and Validity of Research Instruments

It is important to assess an instrument's validity and reliability before you try to obtain its full text.

• Open  this link  for information on  How to Determine the Validity and Reliability of an Instrument
• Article: Mohamad, M. M., Sulaiman, N. L., Sern, L. C., & Salleh, K. M. (2015). Measuring the validity and reliability of research instruments.  Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences ,  204 , 164-171.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.08.129
• Chapter: Stapleton, L. M. (2019). In Hancock G. R., Stapleton L. M. and Mueller R. O.(Eds.),  The Reviewer’s guide to quantitative methods in the social sciences   (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315755649. Chapter 35

Where you find that data depends on whether the instrument is "published" or "unpublished." 

Published Instruments

Published means commercially published, and that the instrument is typically available for sale. you can find reviews of many published instruments, including validity and reliability data, in  mental measurements yearbook , unpublished instruments, unpublished means that the instrument has not been commercially published.  if the instrument is   unpublished ,   contact the author directly., you may be able to find the full text of unpublished instruments using the  library's databases..

• If you find the full text, read the  permission terms  to determine if it is available for reuse or if you will need to contact the author/publisher.
• Look for the author's email address or phone number to contact them, also letting them know that you are a student.
• If the email bounces back or phone number doesn't work, search for their institution affiliation as this may lead to their contact information. 
• Ask your professor or  a librarian  for help! They might be able to help. 
• If you have tried all of the above and still cannot locate the author, see if the author has any co-authors (in other papers) that you can contact.
• Contact authors of articles that mention the instrument you are looking for, and ask them how they obtained permission.
• Last Updated: Aug 31, 2022 3:49 PM
• URL: https://zu.libguides.com/c.php?g=1210895

Dissertation Format and Submission

• Dissertation Submission
• Getting Survey Permissions
• Help Videos

Download a PDF of this FAQ  

Download the template permission letter, instrument permissions faq, permissions to use and reproduce instruments in a thesis/dissertation frequently asked questions, why might i need permission to use an instrument in my thesis/dissertation.

• Determine whether you need permission
• Identify the copyright holder
• Ask for permission
• Keep a record
• What if I can't locate the copyright holder?

If you want to use surveys, questionnaires, interview questions, tests, measures, or other instruments created by other people, you are required to locate and follow usage permissions. The instrument may be protected by copyright and/or licensing restrictions.

Copyright Protection

Copyright provides authors of original creative work with limited control over the reproduction and distribution of that work. Under United States law, all original expressions that are “fixed in a tangible medium” are automatically protected by copyright at the time of their creation. In other words, it is not necessary to formally state a declaration of copyright, to use the © symbol, or to register with the United States Copyright Office.

Therefore, you must assume that any material you find is copyrighted, unless you have evidence otherwise. This is the case whether you find the instrument openly on the web, in a library database, or reproduced in a journal article. It is your legal and ethical responsibility to obtain permission to use, modify, and/or reproduce the instrument.

If you use and/or reproduce material in your thesis/dissertation beyond the limits outlined by the “fair use” doctrine, which allows for limited use of a work, without first gaining the copyright holder’s permission, you may be infringing copyright.

Licensing/Terms of Use

Some instruments are explicitly distributed under a license agreement or terms of use. Unlike copyright, which applies automatically, users must agree to these terms in order to use the instrument. In exchange for abiding by the terms, the copyright holder grants the licensee specific and limited rights, such as the right to use the instrument in scholarly research, or to reproduce the instrument in a publication.

When you ask a copyright holder for permission to use or reproduce an instrument, you are in effect asking for a license to do those things.

How do I know if I need permission to use instruments in my thesis/dissertation research? (Adapted from Hathcock & Crews )

Follow the four-step process below:

1. Determine whether you need permission

There are different levels of permissions for using an instrument:

a)  No permission required

i. The copyright holder has explicitly licensed the use of instrument for any purpose, without requiring you to obtain permission.

ii. If you are only using a limited portion of the instrument, your use may be covered under the Fair Use Doctrine. See more here:  https://uhcl.libguides.com/copyright/fairuse .

iii. If the instrument was developed by the federal government or under a government grant it may be in the public domain, and permission is therefore not required.

iv. If the document was created before 1977, it may be in the public domain, and permission is therefore not required. See the Stanford Public Domain Flowchart at https://fairuse.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/publicdomainflowchart.png .

b)  Non-commercial/educational use: The copyright holder has licensed the instrument only for non-commercial research or educational purposes, without requiring you to obtain the permission of the copyright holder. Any other usage requires permission.

Sample Permission for Educational Use:

Test content may be reproduced and used for non-commercial research and educational purposes without seeking written permission. Distribution must be controlled, meaning only to the participants engaged in the research or enrolled in the educational activity. Any other type of reproduction or distribution of test content is not authorized without written permission from the author and publisher. Always include a credit line that contains the source citation and copyright owner when writing about or using any test.

Source: Marta Soto, “How Permissions Work in PsycTests,” APA Databases & Electronic Resources Blog. American Psychological Association. http://blog.apapubs.org/2016/12/21/how-permissions-work-in-psyctests/ .

Even if you are not required to obtain permission to use the instrument, consider contacting the author for ideas on how to administer and analyze the test. Authors often welcome further use of their work, and may request you send them a copy of your final work.

c)  Permission required:  Instruments that require you to obtain the permission of the copyright holder, regardless of whether the use is for educational or commercial purposes. This may be because the copyright holder

• has important directions for how the test must be administered and analyzed
• wants to make sure the most current version is being used
• charges users a fee in order to administer the test

If you cannot locate the permissions, you are required to identify the copyright holder and contact them to ask about permission to use the instrument.

2. Identify the copyright holder  (Adapted from Crews )

The next step is to identify who owns the copyright. The copyright holder is usually the creator of the work. If the copyright owner is an individual, you will need to do the usual Internet and telephone searches to find the person. Be ready to introduce yourself and to explain carefully what you are seeking.

Some authors transfer copyright to another entity, such as a journal publisher or an organization. In these cases, you must obtain permission from that entity to use or reproduce the instrument. You can often identify the owner by locating a © copyright notice, but as mentioned above, not all copyrighted works have a notice.

Check the following sources to locate instruments, their copyright holders, and their permission statements:

• Mental Measurements Yearbook: https://uhcl.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=mmt
• PsycTESTS: https://uhcl.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=pst
• Neumann Library Tests & Measures help: https://uhcl.libguides.com/PSYC/tests
• Library assistance e-mail: [email protected]

​You may need to contact the author or publisher directly to find out who owns the copyright. Publishers often have websites that prescribe a method for contacting the copyright owner, so search the publisher website for a permissions department or contact person. Be sure to confirm the exact name and address of the addressee, and call/e-mail the person or publishing house to confirm the copyright ownership.

• The copyright owner may prefer or require that permission requests be made using a certain medium (i.e. fax, mail, web form, etc.). If you do not follow instructions, you may not get a reply.
• Telephone calls may be the quickest method for getting a response from the owner, but they should be followed up with a letter or e-mail in order to document the exact scope of the permission. E-mail permissions are legally acceptable in most cases, but getting a genuine signature is usually best.
• The request should be sent to the individual copyright holder (when applicable) or permissions department of the publisher in question. Be sure to include your return address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, and the date at the top of your letter or message. If you send the permission request by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.
• Make the process easy for the copyright owner. The less effort the owner has to put forth, the more likely you will get the permission you need. If you are using conventional mail, include a second copy of your request for the owner’s records.
• State clearly who you are, your institutional affiliation (e.g., University of Houston-Clear Lake), and the general nature of your thesis/dissertation research.

Do not send permissions letters to all possible rightsholders simultaneously. Taking the time to find the person who most likely holds the copyright will better yield success. If you do not have much information about who actually owns the copyright, be honest with your contacts, and they may be able to help you find the right person.

3. Ask for permission  (Adapted from  Crews )

Once you have identified the copyright holder, you must determine the scope of your permission request. Some copyright owners furnish their own permission form that you may download from their website.

If the copyright owner does not provide a permission agreement form, you may write your own letter ( click here to download a template ). Requests should be made in writing; e-mail is fine for this purpose. A most effective letter will include detailed information concerning your request for permission to use the work. Include the following information:

• Who: Introduce yourself. Tell who you are, your degree program, and a brief overview of your research.
• Why: Tell why you are contacting that person or entity for permission.
• What: Be as specific as possible when you cite and describe the instrument you wish to use. Include whether you plan to use the entire instrument, or if you plan on modifying or adapting any of the questions.
• How: Tell how you plan to use the instrument. Specify the parameters of your research study, and include any important information about the way you will administer the instrument and/or analyze the results.
• When: Expected length of the project and time to complete the thesis/dissertation.

Important : Obtaining permission to use an instrument is not the same as obtaining permission to reproduce the instrument in your appendix. If you intend on providing a copy of the instrument in an appendix, ask for separate permissions to do that.

Click here to download a template letter . Feel free to modify and adapt this template for your purposes.

4. Keep a record

After securing permission to use and/or reproduce the instrument, save a copy of the correspondence and the agreement. Documentation allows you to demonstrate to others that you have the legal right to use the owner's work. In the unlikely event that your use of the work is ever challenged, you will need to demonstrate your good faith efforts. That challenge could arise far in the future, so keep a permanent file of the records. Moreover, you might need to contact that same copyright owner again for a later use of the work, and your notes from the past will make the task easier.

Upload a copy of your permission letter in Vireo with your thesis/dissertation, or include it as an appendix in the document itself.

What if I can't locate the copyright holder?  (Adapted from Hathcock  & Crews & Pantalony )

In some cases, you may never get a response from the copyright holder or you may never even be able to identify who they are or how to contact them. It can be difficult to know how to proceed when you reach a dead end. Unfortunately, no matter how diligently you have tried to get permission, these efforts cannot completely eliminate the risk of infringement should you proceed to use the work.

Assuming you have diligently investigated your alternatives, do not want to change your project, and remain in need of the elusive copyright permission, the remaining alternative is to explore a risk-benefit analysis. You need to balance the benefits of using that particular material in your given project against the risks that a copyright owner may see your project, identify the materials, and assert the owner’s legal claims against you. Numerous factual circumstances may be important in this evaluation. The “benefit” may depend upon the importance of your project and the importance of using that particular material. The “risks” may depend upon whether your project will be published or available on the Internet for widespread access—as theses and dissertations will. You ought to investigate whether the work is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and weigh the thoroughness of your search for the copyright owner and your quest for appropriate permission.

Undertaking this analysis can be sensitive and must be advanced with caution and with careful documentation. You may be acting to reduce the risk of liability, but you have not eliminated liability. A copyright owner may still hold rights to the material. Members of the University of Houston-Clear Lake community should consult with their chair or the Neumann Library to discuss their options.

Portions of this FAQ are used and adapted from:

Crews, Kenneth and Rina Elster Pantalony. “Special Cases.” Columbia University Copyright Advisory Services. https://copyright.columbia.edu/basics/special-cases.html . Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

Crews, Kenneth. “Asking for Permission.” Columbia University Advisory Services. https://copyright.columbia.edu/basics/permissions-and-licensing.html . Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

Hathcock, April. “Getting Permission.” NYU Libraries Copyright Library Guide, https://guides.nyu.edu/c.php?g=276785&p=1845968 . Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

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1st Edition

Using Research Instruments A Guide for Researchers

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Clear, accessible and practical, this guide introduces the first-time researcher to the various instruments used in social research. It assesses a broad range of research instruments - from the well-established to the innovative - enabling readers to decide which are particularly well suited to their research. The book covers: questionnaires interviews content analysis focus groups observation researching the things people say and do. This book is particularly suitable for work-based and undergraduate researchers in education, social policy and social work, nursing and business administration. It draws numerous examples from actual research projects, which readers can adapt for their own purposes. Written in a fresh and jargon-free style, the book assumes no prior knowledge and is firmly rooted in the authors' own extensive research experience. Using Research Instruments is the ideal companion volume to The Researcher's Toolkit. Together they offer a superb practical introduction to conducting a social research project.

Table of Contents

David Wilkinson is a Research Fellow within the Work-Based Learning Unit at the University of Leeds. Peter Birmingham is a Research Officer at the University of Oxford, Department of Educational Studies.

Critics' Reviews

'A useful, accessible and short guide for the novice researcher in social sciences at undergraduate level, and also for those practitioners conducting research within their organizations without seeking academic credit.' - Professor Malcom Tight, Department of Continuing Education, Warwick University on its companion title, The Researchers Toolkit '...the authors have produced a book that will help new researchers operationalise the process of data collection. What is especially good about the book is that it is not 'precious' about research...the authors have clearly worked in the real world and know that method has to be modelled to suit the situation'. - Professor Peter Newby, Middlesex University

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Research Instruments

This Guide provides access to databases and web based resources useful for locating a wide variety of research instruments.   

American Thoracic Society Quality of Life Resource Instruments

The goal of this website is to provide information about quality of life and functional status instruments that have been used in assessing patients with pulmonary disease or critical illness.

Cancer Prevention Research Center

Cancer Prevention Research Center provides access to copyrighted psychological measures developed at the University of Rhode Island Cancer Prevention Center. Permission is granted to use these transtheoretical model-based measures for research purposes provided the appropriate citation is referenced. All assessment inventories are available for research purposes only.

CINAHL Plus Research Instruments

CINAHL Plus provides access to research instrument records, research instrument validation records, and research instrument utilization records. These records indicate which studies have used a specific research instrument and include the purpose and variables measured, sample population, methodology, other instruments, items and questions, where the original study was mentioned, and how to obtain the actual research instrument. 

HealthMeasures

Funded by an NIH grant, HealthMeasures consists of four precise, flexible, and comprehensive measurement systems that assess physical, mental, and social health symptoms, well-being, and life satisfaction along with sensory, motor, and cognitive function: PROMIS®, NIH Toolbox®, Neuro-QoL, and ASCQ-Me. 

Medical Outcomes Trust Instruments

Medical Outcomes Trust Instruments provides a list of instruments approved by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust. Records include a description of each instrument. Readers must contact the original author or source cited for each tool to obtain approval for its use.

PROQOLID™ was created in 2002 by Mapi Research Trust to extend access to Patient Centered Outcome resources to the scientific community. PROQOLID™ is supplied exponentially with new instruments throughout the year based on recommended sources such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and Research and Development scientific community.

Rehabilitation Measures Database

The Rehabilitation Measures Database was developed to help clinicians and researchers identify reliable and valid instruments used to assess patient outcomes during all phases of rehabilitation. This database provides evidence based summaries that include concise descriptions of each instrument's psychometric properties, instructions for administering and scoring each assessment as well as a representative bibliography with citations linked to PubMed abstracts. Whenever possible, we have also included a copy of the instrument for users to download or information about obtaining the instrument. This database was developed through collaboration between the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Department of Medical Social Sciences Informatics group at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The Rehabilitation Measures Database and its content were created by CROR.   

Quantitative Research Instrumentation for Educators

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Research Instruments

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You can  Ask Gumberg  any time of day or make an appointment with a librarian!

Finding an Instrument By Name

Obtaining the Full Instrument and Getting Permission

To obtain the full text and ask for permission to use an instrument, you will need to determine whether your instrument is published or unpublished.

Note:   If you have found the full text of an instrument, you will still need to ask for permission to use it.

Published Instruments

Published means commercially published, and that the instrument is typically available for sale. you can generally find published instruments in   mental measurements yearbook with tests in print database., unpublished  instruments, unpublished means that the instrument has not been commercially published. you can generally find information regarding unpublished instruments in many of the  resources for identifying instruments., review the assessing instruments page for more information on determining whether your instrument is published and unpublished., if the instrument has been published, contact the publisher..

Published instruments are usually purchased through a publisher's website. Major test publishers have websites listing their products. 

• When you contact a publisher to obtain either an instrument or permission, make sure you let them know you are a  student . They may let you use the instrument for  free  or give you a  discounted rate. 

If the instrument is unpublished ,  contact the author directly.

You may be able to find the full text of unpublished instruments using the library's databases.

• Start by checking the   APA PsycTests   database, which includes the full text of many research instruments.
• Include the instrument name  and limit to  full text  (see the APA PsycTests guide for more information)
• If you find the full text, read the permission terms  to determine if it is available for reuse or if you will need to contact the author/publisher.

If you have to contact the publisher or author for the full text of an instrument or permission , try these suggestions below:

• Be sure to let them know you are a student.
• It may lead to their contact information. 
• Ask your professor or a librarian for help! They might be able to help. 
• If you have tried all of the above and still cannot locate the author, see if the author has any co-authors (in other papers) that you can contact.
• Lastly, contact authors of articles that mention the instrument you are looking for, and ask them how they obtained permission.
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Using Research Instruments

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Clear, accessible and practical, this guide introduces the first-time researcher to the various instruments used in social research. It assesses a broad range of research instruments - from the well-established to the innovative - enabling readers to decide which are particularly well suited to their research. The book covers:

• questionnaires
• content analysis
• focus groups
• observation
• researching the things people say and do.

This book is particularly suitable for work-based and undergraduate researchers in education, social policy and social work, nursing and business administration. It draws numerous examples from actual research projects, which readers can adapt for their own purposes. Written in a fresh and jargon-free style, the book assumes no prior knowledge and is firmly rooted in the authors' own extensive research experience. Using Research Instruments is the ideal companion volume to The Researcher's Toolkit. Together they offer a superb practical introduction to conducting a social research project.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter | 6  pages, introduction, chapter 1 | 9  pages, questionnaires, chapter | 17  pages, design issues and other considerations when using questionnaires, chapter | 10  pages, limitations, chapter 2 | 10  pages, conduct the interview, chapter | 2  pages, analysing the interview data, key textbooks focusing on developing and using interviews, chapter 3 | 19  pages, content analysis, chapter | 3  pages, key textbooks focusing on developing and using content analysis, chapter 4 | 24  pages, focus groups, key texts on focus-group research, chapter 5 | 7  pages, observation, chapter | 20  pages, planning and conducting your observation, chapter | 1  pages, key texts on observational research, chapter 6 | 25  pages, researching the things people say and do: an alternative approach to research, suggested reading.

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In the field of research, there are endless possibilities for experiments, all involving unique tools to carry out the work involved to answer the questions. The many requirements of a researcher make it hard for everyone to know every tool available, especially as technology advances at such an exponential rate.

Although every scope of science is different from the next, one thing they all have in common is the need for research instruments to help carry out the experiments to search for knowledge expansion. Tools, equipment, software, and intellectual property are crucial components of every scientist’s daily life. Each of these pieces plays an integral role in filling in the missing gaps and puzzle pieces of solving answers, and research instruments have an essential role above all the rest. Understanding what a research instrument is and what’s available to you helps you as a scholar make informed decisions and keep records that track the usage of the tools so other researchers can emulate your work.

What is the Definition of “Research Instrument”?

It might seem like calling one tool a research instrument and another something else wouldn’t be a big deal, but as a scholar, it can mean the difference between obtaining funding and losing it. When you list the instruments you will be using in your experiment, it must look like you know what you’re doing. Putting one tool in the wrong category is a mistake that can be costly.

The term “research instrument” refers to any tool that is used by a scientist to obtain, measure, and analyze data. The data is sourced from subjects included in the research experiment and focused on the topic. 

The instruments used have various roles. There are different tools that help you conduct quantitative, qualitative, and mixed studies. How you choose the instrument depends on what type of study you’re performing. However, whatever you use has to be described in the Methods section of your research paper. The more thoroughly you explain it, especially if you have created your own instrument, as in a survey, the better likelihood that someone else can repeat your study for authenticity.

In some cases, you may have to request permission to use the instrument, and this should be acknowledged in your paper so other scholars know they’ll have to do the same.

Characteristics of Solid Research Instruments

Whatever equipment you choose to use in your work, it must have consistent characteristics that can stand up under intense scrutiny. Should your final outcome end up having significant impactful consequences, you don’t want the choice of instrument you used to send the whole experiment falling down.

Keep these tips in mind as you determine the research instruments that will get you through your experiment:

• They must be valid and reliable (the same results occur repetitively).
• Use instruments that use a conceptual framework to do the job.
• The tools have to be able to gather the data that pertains to the research topic and they should help you to test the hypothesis or answer the research questions being investigated.
• Ensure all tools withstand scrutiny of bias and are appropriate in the context in which you are using them. Try to include tools that reflect the culture and diversity impacted by the research.
• In your methodology section, include clear, concise directions on how to use any uncommon instruments or instruments that are predominantly used in your field of study.

Choosing the right instrument makes the work easier. Choosing the wrong one, though, can be damaging to the whole project.  

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RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS FOR DATA COLLECTION

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS These are the fact finding strategies. They are the tools for data collection. They include Questionnaire, Interview, Observation and Reading. Essentially the researcher must ensure that the instrument chosen is valid and reliable. The validity and reliability of any research project depends to a large extent on the appropriateness of the instruments. Whatever procedure one uses to collect data, it must be critically examined to check the extent to which it is likely to give you the expected results. Questionnaire • This is a data collection instrument mostly used in normative surveys. This is a systematically prepared form or document with a set of questions deliberately designed to elicit responses from respondents or research informants for the purpose of collecting data or information. • It is a form of inquiry document, which contains a systematically compiled and well organised series of questions intended to elicit the information which will provide insight into the nature of the problem under study. • It is a form that contains a set of questions on a topic or group of topics designed to be answered by the respondent. • The respondents are the population samples of the study. The answers provided by the respondents constitute the data for the report. The effective use of questionnaire for data collection depends on the mode of formulation and administration of the questions, the medium of delivering the questionnaire and the method of contacting respondents for retrieval of the questionnaire. These modes affect the credibility and quality of the data obtained. Note that the respondent is not under any obligation to respond to the questionnaire. The respondent therefore has to be influenced in order to submit accurate data to the questions administered. Read more for some expect strategies.

Related Papers

paul liberty muchemwa

Elise Paradis

Ntonghanwah Forcheh

A forgollen part or generally ignored aspect of survey research is the preparation of the research instrument for suitable and efficient data entry and analysis. What ever is available appears to elude most researchers in the social sciences and humanities. The consequence is that these researchers, some of whom are authorities in their fields, frequently fall victim to poorly designed

Débora Thomas

Sapthami KKM

Burcu Akhun

In this article, as data collecting tools interviews and questionnaries used in social science and educational researches were examined. Firstly, the definitions and types of both techiques were discussed. then interwies and questionnaries were compared in terms of various aspects. these comparisions were made regarding information, bias, anonimity and confidentialty, response rate, validity, reliability and data analysis. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques were summarised in a table.

Nursing &amp; Health Sciences

Teresa Stone

Laia Canals

This chapter sets out various methods for gathering important data on the language uses of participants in a research project. These methods imply interaction between students, teachers and researchers. They are used in the design of research projects based on action research, ethnography or conversational analysis, this being the case with the studies presented in the first section of this handbook. Gathering research data following these methodologies often implies preparing situations, tasks or activities that engage participants to interact around a specific theme or to mobilize certain communication skills.

APTISI Transactions on Management

APTISI Transactions on Management , George Iwan

Writing can mean lowering or describing graphic symbols that describe a language understood by someone. For a researcher, management of research preparation is a very important step because this step greatly determines the success or failure of all research activities. Before a person starts with research activities, he must make a written plan commonly referred to as the management of research data collection. In the process of collecting research data, of course we can do the management of questionnaires as well as the preparation of interview guidelines to disseminate and obtain accurate information. With the arrangement of planning and conducting interviews: the ethics of conducting interviews, the advantages and disadvantages of interviews, the formulation of interview questions, the schedule of interviews, group and focus group interviews, interviews using recording devices, and interview bias. making a questionnaire must be designed with very good management by giving to the information needed, in accordance with the problem and all that does not cause problems at the stage of analysis and interpretation.

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A biosensor-based phage display selection method for automated, high-throughput Nanobody discovery

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Biopanning methods to select target-specific Nanobodies ® (Nbs) involve presenting the antigen, immobilized on plastic plates or magnetic beads, to Nb libraries displayed on phage. Most routines are operator-dependent, labor-intensive and often material- and time-consuming. Here we validate an improved panning strategy that uses biosensors to present the antigen to phage-displayed Nbs in a well. The use of automated Octet biolayer interferometry sensors (Sartorius) enables high throughput and precise control over each step. By playing with association and dissociation times and buffer composition, one can efficiently decrease the background of aspecific and low-affinity Nbs, reducing the rounds of panning needed for the enrichment of high-affinity binders. Octet panning also enables the use of unpurified target proteins and unpurified phage from a bacterial culture supernatant. Additionally, downscaling to a 384-well format significantly reduces the amount of protein required. Moreover, enrichment of binders can be quantified by monitoring phage binding to the target by interferometry, omitting additional phage titration steps. Routinely, up to 3 rounds of Octet panning can be performed in only 5 days to deliver target-specific binders, ready for screening and characterization using the same Octet instrument.

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