Question 1

1) In participant observation:&#10;A) A single participant is observed&#10;B) Many groups of participants are observed&#10;C) The researcher asks the participants to make some observations&#10;D) The researcher is a part of the group under observation

Accepted Answer

In participant observation, the researcher becomes a part of the group being observed. This allows for the researcher to gain firsthand experience and understanding of the group's behavior and culture.

Question 2

2) Which of the following is true:&#10;A) Observation cannot be part of an experiment&#10;B) Observation can be used in an experiment to assess the dependent variable&#10;C) If a study is described as observational in design it is also an experiment&#10;D) Observation can only occur in a naturalistic setting

Accepted Answer

Observation is often used in experiments to assess the dependent variable. This allows researchers to collect data on the outcome of the independent variable's manipulation. However, observation on its own does not make a study an experiment. Observational studies typically involve simply observing and recording behavior or phenomena without manipulating any variables. Additionally, observations can be conducted in both naturalistic and controlled settings.

Question 3

3) Observer bias occurs:&#10;A) When one or more of the observers in a research study is severely prejudiced&#10;B) When a researcher prefers the observational method to any other&#10;C) When an observer's recordings are directionally affected by some characteristic of the observer&#10;D) When participants act differently with one observer than with the others

Accepted Answer

Observer bias occurs when an observer's recordings are directionally affected by some characteristic of the observer, such as their personal beliefs or expectations. This can lead to inaccurate or skewed data. It is not related to severe prejudice, the researcher's preference for observational method, or differences in participant behavior with different observers.

Question 4

4) Event coding involves:&#10;A) Recording previously defined behavioural events as they occur&#10;B) Recording events that occur during specified time intervals&#10;C) Recording events that occur during specified but non-continuous time intervals&#10;D) Recording anything that happens during the observation period

Accepted Answer

The answer of 4) Event coding involves:&#10;A) Recording previously defined...

Question 5

5) Time sampling involves:&#10;A) Recording previously defined behavioural events as they occur&#10;B) Recording events that occur during specified time intervals&#10;C) Recording events that occur during specified but non-continuous time intervals&#10;D) Recording anything that happens during the observation period

Accepted Answer

The answer of 5) Time sampling involves:&#10;A) Recording previously defined...

Question 6

6) Naturalistic observation occurs when:&#10;A) Participants' behaviour is observed in a controlled laboratory environment&#10;B) Participants' behaviour is observed in a situation that is natural for them&#10;C) Any time behaviour is observed outside a laboratory&#10;D) Researchers study nature and not people

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation involves observing participants' behavior in a situation that is natural for them, such as in their own homes or in a public space. It is important that the environment is not controlled or manipulated by the researcher. Option A is incorrect because naturalistic observation occurs outside of a laboratory. Option C is partially correct, but it is important to note that the observation must occur in a natural environment. Option D is incorrect because naturalistic observation involves observing people, not just nature.

Question 7

7) Coding occurs:&#10;A) When participants' behaviour is grouped into defined categories&#10;B) When researchers talk so that participants cannot understand them&#10;C) When participants' behaviour is analysed&#10;D) Whenever qualitative observations are made

Accepted Answer

Coding involves categorizing participants' behavior into predefined categories for analysis.

Question 8

8) Archival data are:&#10;A) Old data files on a computer&#10;B) Books kept in a basement&#10;C) Data gathered a long time ago which are being compared with new data&#10;D) Data from public records used as evidence in research

Accepted Answer

Archival data refer to data from public records, such as census records, court documents or historical documents, which are used as evidence in research. They are not necessarily old data files on a computer, books kept in a basement, or data being compared with new data.

Question 9

9) An ethnographic approach involves:&#10;A) Creating thumbnail impressions of different ethnic groups&#10;B) Quantitative research on members of a particular culture or group&#10;C) Immersion in a group or culture and an attempt to reflect that group's perspective&#10;D) Non-participant observation of a group's behaviour

Accepted Answer

An ethnographic approach involves immersion in a group or culture and an attempt to reflect that group's perspective. This includes engaging with members of the group, observing their behavior, and understanding their cultural practices, beliefs, and values. It is a qualitative approach to research that seeks to provide a holistic understanding of a culture or group from their own point of view. Creating thumbnail impressions of different ethnic groups (A) is not a comprehensive approach to understanding a group's culture. Quantitative research on members of a particular culture or group (B) is not an ethnographic approach. Non-participant observation of a group's behavior (D) is not sufficient to understand the cultural significance of the observed behaviors.

Question 10

10) Which of the following is not an advantage of the case study?&#10;A) A theory can be contradicted by one substantially investigated case&#10;B) Ideas and phenomena can be revealed which researchers would not have guessed at unaided&#10;C) Data from individual case studies can be pooled and common threads may be exposed&#10;D) The findings of a case study can easily be replicated

Accepted Answer

The findings of a case study are typically not easily replicated due to the unique nature of each individual case.

Deck 6: Observational Methods Watching and Being With People