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TSL3133 Action Research I

Topic 9:
Action research: Data
collection instruments

What is data collection?

The process by which the researcher collects the information needed
to answer the research problem.
In collecting the data, the researcher must decide:

Which data to collect

How to collect the data
Who will collect the data
When to collect the data

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Research instruments
Instrument or a Tool
described as a device used to collect the data
facilitate variable observation and measurement
The type of instrument used by the researcher depends on the
data collection method selected.

Instrument development requires a high degree of research

expertise, as the instrument must be reliable and valid.
(Massey, 2005: 216)

Data collection instruments

*checklist

*Questionnaires *Audio-video recordings *Logs *Field notes

*Photo *Portfolio *Anecdote *Journal *Diary

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Checklist
Structures a persons observation or evaluation of a performance
or artefact.
Can be simple lists of criteria that can be marked as present or
absent, or can provide space for observer comments.
Can provide consistency over time or between observers.
Can be used for:

evaluating databases,
virtual IM service,
the use of library space, or for
structuring peer observations of instruction sessions.
interview
focus group discussion
example

Observation checklist (contd.)

For example
The teacher has asked the observer to look at the issue of timing so
the observer's checklist includes these questions:
- Does the teacher follow the timings on the lesson plan?
- Does the teacher tell learners how long they have for an activity?
- Does the teacher tell learners when time is nearly up?

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Types of Observation
An observation is something noticed directly by your
senses. There are three different types of
observations.
A qualitative observation is an observation about essential
attributes of an object. For example, colour, shape, texture, etc
would be examples.
A quantitative observation is an observation that can be described
or measured in concrete numerical quantity. For example, weight,
temperature, height, length, and mass would be examples.

sample

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sample

Questionnaire
Mostly used in normative surveys to elicit responses from
respondents or research informants for the purpose of collecting data
or information.
An 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.
Respondents are the population samples of the study.
Types of questionnaires:
Structured or closed form
Unstructured, open ended form

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Samples questionnaire
Has your knowledge and skills in learning English benefited from the
use of technology?
a) If Yes, in what ways (Please provide examples):
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Samples questionnaire (contd.)

To what extent do you think the following technologies are helpful for
improving your English listening skills?
Very helpful

Somewhat
helpful

A little
helpful

Not helpful
at all

Word Processing (i.e. MS Word, Google

Docs)
Presentation software (i.e. PowerPoint)
ESL Lessons using SmartBoard
Computer software for learning English
(i.e. Reading Smart, DynEd software)
Audio Recordings (i.e. CD, DVD)

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Audio-video recordings
When do you use this?
How do you use this?
What do you do with the recordings?
Do you think these are useful data collection
instrument?

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Logs
A sort of running account
of how researchers plan to
spend their time compared
to how they actually spend
it the researchers plan
for systematic data
collection.

what I plan to What I

do today
actually did
Where to go
Who to
interview
What to
observe
Etc.

Field Notes
- The notes researcher takes in the field.
- Detailed notes taken in the classroom or school
as they observe what is going on or as they
interview their informants.
- They are the researchers written account of
what they hear, see, experience, and think in the
course of collecting and reflecting on their data.

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Photo

Allies

They will get done eventually!

Portfolio how can it be used as data collection instrument?

A portfolio is a systematic collection of student work that
represents student activities, accomplishments, and
achievements over a specific period of time in one or more
areas of the curriculum.
There are two main types of portfolios:

Showcase Portfolios: Students select and submit their best work.

The showcase portfolio emphasizes the products of learning.
Developmental Portfolios: Students select and submit pieces of
work that can show evidence of growth or change over time. The
growth portfolio emphasizes the process of learning.

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Anecdote
Anecdotal records are the written observations word for word,
action for action of exactly what a child is doing and saying. A
transcript, if you will, on an event, series of events or even
throughout the day.
Anecdotal records have many benefits. The first is that, if done
accurately, it is a true and unbiased account of precisely what is
occurring.

sample

A sample
Anecdotal Record
Activity: Learning centre Table toys
Name: Tommy Tantrum

Date: 11/09/02
Recorder: Tina Teacher

Tommy ran over to the table where other students were completing puzzles shouting, Here I
come! He then approached another student and asked, Can I have that puzzle? The other student:
No, Im not finished. Jimmy: But I need that one to build my rocketship. The other student: Mrs. H
says you have to wait your turn. Jimmy: Mrs. H, Mrs. H, can I have that puzzle now? Mrs. H:
When ___ is finished, you may have a turn. Jimmy: Set the timer then. (to other student) You
have 1 minute, right Mrs. H? Jimmy then sat at the table with his face supported by his hands and
repeated 5 times, Time is almost up. When the timer rang, Jimmy took the puzzle and dumped it
and began assembling it himself.

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Journal
The function of a research journal is to set down on paper your thoughts about the
primary and secondary source material you are reading/working on.
The journal should document the ways you are thinking about the material and
connecting it up with other things you've thought about.
What surprises you about what you are reading?
For example:

How could anyone have ever done this? How could they
have ever considered it ok to hold HUMAN BEINGS as
property? And the weird thing is that some of these
slaveholders look just like normal people -- they have
families, they seem concerned about other humans
elsewhere. How do I understand this!!!?

Diary
- A personal statement of the
researchers feelings,
opinions, and perceptions
about others with whom
the researcher comes in
contact during the course
of his or her work.
- It provides a place for the
researchers to pen down
what they might not want
to make public.

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Tutorial task
Work in groups of 5.
With reference to the research focus and research questions
generated through the 5 WHYs process, identify and explain how
you would collect data during your intervention to support your
discussion.
You should identify:
the data collection method(s)
the data collection instrument(s) [provide a sample]

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