Research Instrumentation

2. Instrumentation is the process of
constructing research instruments
that could be used appropriately in
gathering data on the study. The
questionnaire, interview and
observation are the most
commonly used tools in gathering
data.

3. 1. The Questionnaire
The Questionnaire is a set orderly arranged
questions carefully prepared to answer the
specific problems of the study. Webster
Dictionary defines the word “questionnaire” as a
list of questions to be answered by a group of
people especially designed to get facts or
information. It is a list of written questions
related to a particular topic, provided with space
for residents to fill-up (Good, 1959).

5. There are two (2) types of questions that could be used in the
preparation of a questionnaire, namely:

1) Open-ended Question. The questions are listed in a way
that it allows the respondents to freely express himself or
herself on the subject or issue. It does not enumerate
alternative responses.
Example:

“How are you affected by the change of your organization
leadership?” “What do you suggest to improve the
management of your organization?”
Open-Ended Question

6. 2.) Fixed Alternative Question. This is otherwise called the
closed type of question which provides a list of choices
among enumerated alternatives. Hence, the subject
responses are limited to a specific alternative.

Example 1: “what is the status of the local programs and
projects initiated by municipal/city government units
towards attainment of MDG 5 in terms of improve
maternal health?

5 Very Much Initiated
4 Much Initiated
3 Moderately Initiated
2 Slightly Imitated
1 Not at all

7. Example 2. The items below are solutions adopted to the
problems encountered by the government officials that affect their
governance. Rank each item from 1 to 8; 1 as the most effective
solution and 8 as the least solution.

a) Performance measures and managing for results
b) Combating corruption and promoting new work culture
c) Encouraging partnership, cooperation, and
collaboration for good governance
d) Establish feedback mechanisms
e) Providing policy and institutional support
f) Improving and strengthening public confidence in
government system and justice
g) Disclosure of public information
h) Using information technology and clear and simplified
online transactions.

8. The tabulation of the results of a dry-run should be done to
find-out as to whether the answers being tabulated provide
significant solutions to the specific questions of the study.
This may also provide an idea of how to improve the questionnaire
and to make the tabulation of results easy and enable the
researchers to tabulate the responses accurately.

The questionnaire should include clear instructions or
directions of what to do with the list. Each questionnaire should
include a cover letter cordially and courteously composed, neatly
organized and typed, containing the following information:

1.Introductory greetings, the subject of the study, and a brief
description of significance of the study;

2. Vital role of the respondent in answering the questions;

9. b) Preparation of the Questionnaire
•A review of related literature and studies will be very
helpful in the preparation of the questionnaire. Once a
topic for research has been decided and approved by the
appropriate body, the formulation of specific questions
follows. Try to examine the questionnaires used in some of
the research studies similar to your approved topic.
•They can serve as a guide in the formulation of your
questions in the questionnaire. You may also talk to people
who are knowledgeable in the construction of a
questionnaire.
•Draft your questions and after its completion, finalize the
questionnaire for comments and suggestions for
improvement to your adviser or to anyone who is
knowledgeable on the preparation of a questionnaire for
editing.

10. •Find time to rewrite the questionnaire taking into consideration
and integrating the corrections and suggestions given.
•Test for the reliability, effectiveness and validity of your
questionnaire through dry-run. Take into consideration the
clarity of items, vagueness of statements, time element in
answering the questions, convenience in tabulating the answers,
difficulties and other related problems.
•A dry-run is done to a group of people composed of at least 20
members of the same characteristics as the respondents of your
study. If for example your respondents are Local Government
Executive (LGEs) of a city or district, your questionnaire can be
administered for dry-run to some 20-30 LGEs of another city or
district.

11. •Where to return the questionnaire and when (deadline). To
facilitate return of completed questionnaire, a self-addressed
stamped envelope may be included for out-of-town
respondents;
•Guarantee of confidentiality of the information and
anonymity of The respondents.
•Statement of gratitude for the cooperation and participation
of the respondents.
•Expression of willingness to supply the respondents the result
of the study.
•Personal signature of the researcher, and
•Endorsement from respected and influential person/s related
to the study. This may help in the excellent retrieval of the
questionnaire.

12. Republic of the Philippines
Pangasinan State University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Urdaneta City



September 8, 2014
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

Sir/Madam:

The undersigned is a graduate school student of Pangasinan State University, Urdaneta City, presently
working on a research entitled “Development Orientation and Governance of Municipal and City
Government Officials in Pangasinan”.

In view of this, may I would like to request permission from your good office to administer and float
questionnaires to city/municipality appointive government officials so that the objectives of the study may be
fully realized.

Thank you for your favorable response to this request. More power and God bless.

Very truly yours,

NOIME F. SALON
Researcher
Noted:
ZENAIDA U. SUYAT, ED. D.
Dean