Instruments

OERL's instrument collection is designed to provide models for the development of new instruments. Users are encouraged to use or adapt instruments, sections, or individual questions to create instruments that are tailored to their projects. We caution users, however, that sound instrument development requires further piloting of any instrument that has been adapted for use in a context that differs significantly from the context in which it was developed. The instruments were selected from data collection forms and protocols developed especially for evaluations of actual NSF-funded projects. There are also some instruments from technology projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

The instruments gather information that is not contained in data and indicators available from archival sources (such as registrar records of courses taken and grade-point averages). The instruments are grouped by respondent (e.g., teachers/faculty, students) and by type (e.g., questionnaires, surveys, interviews, assessments).

Click on a project type tab on the left (Curriculum Development, Teacher Education, etc.) to see the sample instruments for that project type.

Also available are answers to frequently asked questions about instruments and a complete list of contributors. To get a more complete understanding of instrument characteristics (Design, Technical Qualities, and Use & Utility) and how they are applied, take a look at the quality criteria, glossary, and alignment table for instruments. The alignment table aligns the criteria entries and glossary definitions of instrument characteristics with evaluation standards.