International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

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The ABC of Needs Study: A Mixed-Methods Approach for Instrument Development

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A researcher first conducts a needs study to comprehend the issues, challenges, and significance of a particular phenomenon. This is crucial especially in developing instruments to measure various phenomenon in the educational context. The feasibility of instrument development can be systematically evaluated according to the best practices through a needs study. However, to date, there are limited scholarly articles that discuss how researchers can conduct a needs study. In this paper, we present a practical approach to develop instrument using a mixed-methods needs study. A mixed-methods needs study is viable for developing a comprehensive instrument given its potential to bring depth and breadth of information of phenomenon of interest. The practical, step-by-step guidelines discussed can guide researchers, especially novices in their attempt of conducting a needs study in a more purposeful and thorough manner. Conclusively, a needs study serves as a practical and flexible approach for mixed-methods studies in various disciplines.
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In-Text Citation: (Arifin & Razali, 2022)
To Cite this Article: Arifin, M. A., & Razali, R. (2022). The ABC of Needs Study: A Mixed-Methods Approach for Instrument Development. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(10), 1337– 1352.