The
next aspect of the data analysis plan is to scan the data gathering instruments
in the context of data analysis. During the process of selecting a method and
technique and developing an instrument, the researcher is usually so oriented
to content and procedure that he ignores the relatively minor issues in instrument
development, such as whether or not their is a place for the respondent to
indicate his name, age, class, or any other data that will be required for data
analysis. After the data are collected and about to be analyzed it is often too
late to capture this information. Thus, it is at this point of planning the
data analysis that the researcher can profitability refer to the list below of
characteristics of the data gathering instrument that will expedite data
analysis.
1. There should be a place for name, school, class, age
or any other classifying information the researcher will need in data analysis.
2. Every item should be numbered, and every option
within an item should be separately numbered or lettered, for case of data
analysis.
3. Options should not overlap on structured questions,
that is, if one option is 5-10, the next should begin with 11.
4. It is preferable to have options circled rather than
checked. This expedites the analysis of data and also eliminates the
possibility that the check below means ‘high school’ to some respondents rather
than ‘College’ as the researcher intended.
5. The order in which items appear on an instrument
reflect the priority of information sought.
The
researcher must recognize that respondents and observers tire and if they do
the items which appear late in the instrument are answered less carefully or
omitted entirely.
The
order of the items has been planned with the processing of data in mind. If two
pieces of data are to be analyzed simultaneously, this analysis can be
expedited considerably if they are physically close together on the instrument.
If some sub-analysis within the instrument is planned, such as computing the
number of items correct on a sub-test or the number of positive responses on an
interest inventory, the layout of the instrument should consider the placement
of those items on each sub-test.
The
instrument should provide the respondent with a way of indicating inability or
unwillingness to answer a question, record an observation, or respond to a
measure. The possibility of pre-coding instruments, or printing them on different
colour paper as an aid to data analysis should be considered. Instrument used
in the pre-and-post administration of any technique should be easily
distinguishable and so impossible to confuse.
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