Tools in Educational Research

Tools

                   Relevant data, adequate in quality or quantity should be collected using systematic procedure. Devices or instruments employed in the collection of data are called tools. In research process, the preparation of tools is one of the vital stages. A researcher requires many data gathering tools or techniques, which may vary in their complexity, design, administration and interpretation. 

Each tool is appropriate for the collection of certain type of evidence or information. The researcher has to select from the available tools, which will provide data, he requires for the testing of the hypotheses. In some situations, he may find that the existing research tools do not suit his purpose and so he may have to modify them or construct his own. For this, the researcher should familiarize himself with the nature, merits and limitations of the existing research tools, and should also develop skill in the construction and use of each of these research tools.

Characteristics of a good measurement tool

            The most important criteria to be used in evaluating a measurement tool are,

• Uni dimensionality: This means the tool should measure only one characteristic at a time.
• Validity: This refers to the ability of a scale to measure what it is supposed to measure.
• Reliability: A tool should give an accurate and precise measure of what we want to measure from time to time.
• Simplicity: A tool should be as simple as possible; an elaborate, complicated and over refined scale may become unduly awkward, costly or even useless.
• Practicability: A tool should be practicable one.
• Objectivity: It should make clear judgement free from personal bias of the investigator
• Economy: It should be economical in terms of time and money
• Interest : A tool should be enjoyable to gain cooperation of the subject

FACTORS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOOLS

1. Subject related factors such as age, mental maturity, literacy level etc.,
2. Test related factors such as dimension of the characteristics to be measured, number of items to be included, assembling the items etc.,
3. Develop proper response sheets
4. Standardize the administrative procedure
5. Develop scoring scheme
6. Conduct pilot study to validate the test and establish reliability