Developing an Instrument to Measure Research Skills

AbstractA diagnostic instrument to identify the competencies in research knowledge and skills of doctoral student was developed. There is a need to measure student deficiencies in their preparation to conduct doctoral research in order to provide guidance and training. A four stage development of the instrument was conducted. Firstly, through a literature review on the construct in research knowledge and skills were identified and then defined operationally. Items for the instrument were 5 point Likert-type and were either adapted from similar existing instrument or developed by the researcher. Through a pilot study the instruments was validated by peer evaluation and its reliability was measured using internal consistency method. The process also involved item analysis to weed out weak items. The final stage involve in trying to gauge a sample of the current PhD candidates competencies in research. The reliabilities ranged from 0.78 – 0.93 and instrument was judged approach for use. Thus the instrument is beneficial for diagnosing student preparedness in doing research