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Outline on Research Instruments
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  See Also:  An Overview of the Methods of the Social Sciences
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  See Also:  Research Design
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  See Also:  Types of Analyses
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  -  Introduction:  Various Research Instruments may be used w/ a given Type of Analysis  
  The Choice of methodology / of the Research Instrument is where the Researcher chooses the data collection tool, such as a survey, experiment, etc. to achieve the Research Objectives  
 
Choosing the Research Instrument is done after Conceptualization & the choice of Units of Analysis & must be done before Operationalizing Concepts via construction of the Instrument
1.   Select a Topic
2.   Formulate a Thesis Statement...
3.   Choose the Types of Analyses
4.   Research & Write a Literature Review
      & Refine the Thesis
5.   Formulate the Research Objectives & Questions
6.   Conceptualize a topic
7.   Choose Research Method / the Research Instrument
8.   Operationalize concepts / construct the instrument		   9.   Formulate the Data Collection Strategy
10.  Obtain HIC Approval
11.  Perform a Pilot Study
12.  Collect Data
13.  Prepare the Data for processing & analysis
14.  Process & Analyze Data
15.  Interpret & make Inferences about Data
16.  Write the Research Paper
17.  Write Final HIC Report
 
  Several different Research Instruments can be used to achieve the same Research Objectives  
  With the topic, thesis, types of analysis, lit review, objectives & conceptualization understood, the researcher should have a general idea of which data collection method is best suited for the topic  
  Research design is an iterative process, therefore after the construction of the instrument, the researcher returns to the steps of topic, thesis, types of analysis, lit review, objectives & conceptualization  to confirm that the appropriate instrument is being used  
  The researcher must determine whether the Research Objectives can be met w/ a single instrument ( survey, interview, observation schedule, etc. ) or whether several are needed  
  The Relationship between Types of Analysis   &   Research Instruments       is that of 
         is that of                          Questions         &   How the researcher will determine the Answer		  
  The Types of Analysis & the more detailed Research Objectives clearly explain what it is the researcher wants to know  
  The Research Instruments, such as a survey, will ask questions that directly address the Research Objectives  
  Example:
Thesis:  Deinstitutionalization is more effective than institutionalization
Type of Analysis:  Cause & Effect       &       Comparison
Research Objective:  Deinstitutionalization causes well-being
Survey:  Deinstitutionalized clients are generally happy      1  2  3  4  5
               Institutionalized clients are generally happy          1  2  3  4  5		  
  The choice & development of the Research Instrument must be done in conjunction w/:
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  - Operationalization
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  - the development of the Strategy for Data Collection
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  There are MANY types of Research Instruments; some of the primary Instruments are listed below  
  - Aggregate Data Analysis
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  - Case Studies
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  - Content Analysis
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  - Ethnography
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  - Evaluation Research
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  - Experimental Research
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  - Human Factors Analysis
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  - Interviewing
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  - Observation:  Field / Naturalistic or Structured
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  - Organizational Analysis
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  - Policy Analysis
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     The Development of Policy Analysis
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  - Social Impact Analysis
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  - Surveys
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    Survey Construction
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    Survey Sampling
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The End