Question 1

One step in carrying out a field research project is to sample people and events. Dr. Smith carried out a study in which he used purposive sampling and asked those respondents to recommend others. This sampling technique is called ______.
A) theoretical sampling
B) snowball sampling
C) random sampling
D) stratified sampling

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling involves asking initial participants to recommend other potential participants. This method is particularly useful when studying hard-to-reach or specialized populations. Dr. Smith's approach of using purposive sampling and then asking those respondents to recommend others fits the description of snowball sampling.

Question 2

One set of researchers studying gang behavior with participant observation methods found out that they were lacking individuals or settings to examine a particular process of gang initation. When they realized they needed specific individuals in their study that could help them understand gang intitation more thoroughly, they decided to select new settings and individuals who they considered to be influential based on their earlier observations. These researchers engaged in ______.
A) theoretical sampling
B) snowball sampling
C) informed sampling
D) experience sampling

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling technique in which researchers use their existing contacts to identify and recruit additional participants who meet the study criteria. In this case, the researchers used their earlier observations to identify influential individuals who could help them understand gang initiation more thoroughly.

Question 3

With a technique used to draw a representative sample of everyday activities, thoughts, and experiences, participants carry a pager and are beeped at random times over several days or weeks; upon hearing the beep, participants complete a report designed by the researcher is called ______.
A) theoretical sampling
B) snowball sampling
C) informed sampling
D) experience sampling

Accepted Answer

The technique described is known as experience sampling, where participants are prompted at random times to record their experiences or thoughts, providing real-time data on their daily lives.

Question 4

With ______ sampling, field researchers learn from participants about who represents different subgroups in a setting and ______ sampling can be employed to ensure the representation of particular categories of participants.
A) snowball; quota
B) quota; snowball
C) intentional; probability
D) experience; theoretical

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling involves researchers learning from participants about who represents different subgroups, while quota sampling is used to ensure representation of specific categories of participants.

Question 5

"Once the sergeant arrived, we walked around in groups for high visibility in the 1900 block, 'the hole' (worst apartment houses: absent landlords, repairs unattended, no background check for tenants). Planned to search some of the basements for drugs. Several officers commented that 'Linc' was seen hanging around the hole more frequently than usual-could indicate increased drug activity." This was taken from a study on community policing and is an example of what?
A) observations
B) field notes
C) transparency
D) personal bias

Accepted Answer

The passage describes detailed observations and actions taken by police officers during their patrol, which are typically recorded in field notes as part of research or documentation in studies on community policing.

Question 6

As a researcher engaging in participant observation, field notes should not include just what was observed or heard. Other necessary notes should also include how a researcher felt in a certain situation. For instance, imagine you are observing police officers while they are on duty and there is an incident in which you became scared. Jotting down that you felt frightened is important because it may help provide a foundation to understand or explain the likelihood of ______ to some salient features of the situation.
A) bias
B) confusion
C) concern
D) reliability

Accepted Answer

Including feelings in field notes helps to acknowledge and address potential biases that might influence a researcher's interpretation of the observed events. Recognizing one's emotional response can provide insights into how personal reactions may shape understanding of the situation, thus highlighting the importance of considering bias in qualitative research.

Question 7

Perhaps a useful tool of writing down your own feelings while doing observations is related to which of the following guidelines when doing a field research project?
A) Take the time to consider how you want to relate to your potential subjects as people.
B) Speculate about what personal problems might arise and how you will respond to them.
C) Keep in touch with other researchers and personal friends outside the research setting.
D) Maintain standards of conduct that make you comfortable as a person and that respect the integrity of your subjects.

Accepted Answer

Writing down your own feelings while doing observations is related to speculating about personal problems that might arise and how you will respond to them, as it involves self-reflection and awareness of your emotional responses during the research process.

Question 8

What is part of almost ALL qualitative research designs?
A) observation
B) activism
C) participation
D) asking questions

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is part of almost ALL qualitative...

Question 9

Intensive interviewing is often unstructured and researchers do not presume to know the range of answers that respondents might give. Instead, they tend to rely on ______ questions.
A) fixed-choice
B) open-ended
C) personal
D) fixed order

Accepted Answer

Intensive interviewing typically involves asking open-ended questions, which allow respondents to answer in their own words without being constrained by a set list of responses. This approach is used to explore a wide range of answers and insights that the researcher may not have anticipated.

Question 10

Your book describes that intensive interviewing differs from more structured forms of questioning. Which of the following is NOT listed as a way that these two types of interviewing differ?
A) thoroughness
B) consistency
C) sampling procedures
D) length of questioning

Accepted Answer

Sampling procedures are not typically a distinguishing factor between intensive interviewing and more structured forms of questioning. The other options relate more directly to the nature and conduct of the interviews themselves.

Question 11

Many times constant note taking during an intensive interview is not a good idea. Because of this, sometimes a tape recorder is necessary. However, sometimes a tape recorder could also impede respondents from answering honestly. Which of the following is most likely a situation where taping an interview would not be a good idea?
A) interviews on college drinking
B) interviews with parents on their parenting practices
C) interviews with public officials concerned about their public image

Accepted Answer

Interviews with public officials who are concerned about their public image are more likely to be situations where taping would not be a good idea, as the presence of a recorder might make them more cautious or unwilling to speak openly, fearing the potential repercussions on their public image.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a focus group?
A) an interviewer interviews one person on their perceptions of crime
B) a researcher participates in ride-alongs with police officers to observe how they answer calls
C) a researcher lived with a community for three months to study their cultural rituals
D) a researcher leads group discussions of a topic

Accepted Answer

A focus group involves a researcher leading group discussions on a specific topic to gather diverse perspectives and insights, which is what option D describes.

Question 13

One way that focus groups differ from traditional interviews is that they can allow for ______.
A) spontaneous exchange that characterize social life
B) an in-depth understanding of a topic
C) nuanced information to emerge
D) probing of additional topics to consider

Accepted Answer

Focus groups allow for a spontaneous exchange of ideas among participants, which can mimic the dynamics of social interactions, unlike traditional one-on-one interviews that are more structured and controlled.

Question 14

In which discipline did focus groups originate?
A) sociology
B) anthropology
C) finance
D) marketing

Accepted Answer

Focus groups originated in the field of marketing as a qualitative research method to gather consumer feedback and insights on products and services.

Question 15

According to your textbook, which of the following is NOT a way that focus groups are used?
A) testing hypotheses
B) investigating the meaning of survey results
C) identifying the range of opinion about an issue
D) developing survey questions

Accepted Answer

Focus groups are primarily used for exploratory purposes such as investigating the meaning of survey results, identifying the range of opinions on an issue, and developing survey questions. They are not typically used for testing hypotheses, which is more suited to quantitative methods.

Question 16

Which of the following situations would be most appropriate to use a follow-up question during an interview?
A) A respondent indicated that he did not want to answer a question on a particular topic, and the researcher wanted to know why.
B) A respondent answered a question matter-of-factly and it was clear he did not want to answer the question.
C) A respondent showed a certain facial expression when answering a question and this sparked the researcher's curiosity.

Accepted Answer

A follow-up question is appropriate when a respondent's non-verbal cues, like a facial expression, suggest there might be more to explore about their answer.

Question 17

The ethical issue of qualitative research methods concerned with identifiable information is ______.
A) confidentiality
B) appropriate boundaries
C) researcher safety
D) subject well-being

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is a primary ethical concern in qualitative research, especially when dealing with identifiable information, to protect participants' privacy and sensitive data.

Question 18

Which of the following is related to the ethical issue in qualitative research methods of appropriate boundaries?
A) a researcher who revealed the identity of her respondents
B) A researcher's safety was compromised.
C) A researcher refused to stop an interview even after her respondent started crying.
D) a researcher who began an intimate relationship with some of his participants

Accepted Answer

Engaging in intimate relationships with participants can blur professional boundaries and compromise the integrity of the research.

Question 19

A researcher would only have to break ______ if her respondent indicated that he intended to harm himself or others in the future.
A) subject well-being
B) confidentiality
C) researcher safety
D) appropriate boundaries

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality must be broken if a respondent indicates an intention to harm themselves or others, as the researcher has a duty to prevent harm and report such intentions to appropriate authorities.

Question 20

When Jody Miller needed to back away from her study on gangs because her efforts to recruit new participants ended up in her respondents recruiting more people into their gang, her reasoning of ending the study was related to the ethical concern of ______.
A) subject well-being
B) confidentiality
C) researcher safety
D) appropriate boundaries

Accepted Answer

Miller's decision to end the study was primarily concerned with the well-being of the subjects, as her recruitment efforts inadvertently led to an increase in gang membership, potentially putting participants at greater risk.

Quiz 9: Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, and Listening

One step in carrying out a field research project is to sample people and events. Dr. Smith carried out a study in which he used purposive sampling and asked those respondents to recommend others. This sampling technique is called ______.

With a technique used to draw a representative sample of everyday activities, thoughts, and experiences, participants carry a pager and are beeped at random times over several days or weeks; upon hearing the beep, participants complete a report designed by the researcher is called ______.

With sampling, field researchers learn from participants about who represents different subgroups in a setting and sampling can be employed to ensure the representation of particular categories of participants.

Perhaps a useful tool of writing down your own feelings while doing observations is related to which of the following guidelines when doing a field research project?

What is part of almost ALL qualitative research designs?

Intensive interviewing is often unstructured and researchers do not presume to know the range of answers that respondents might give. Instead, they tend to rely on ______ questions.

Your book describes that intensive interviewing differs from more structured forms of questioning. Which of the following is NOT listed as a way that these two types of interviewing differ?

Which of the following is an example of a focus group?

One way that focus groups differ from traditional interviews is that they can allow for ______.

In which discipline did focus groups originate?

According to your textbook, which of the following is NOT a way that focus groups are used?

Which of the following situations would be most appropriate to use a follow-up question during an interview?

The ethical issue of qualitative research methods concerned with identifiable information is ______.

Which of the following is related to the ethical issue in qualitative research methods of appropriate boundaries?

A researcher would only have to break ______ if her respondent indicated that he intended to harm himself or others in the future.

When Jody Miller needed to back away from her study on gangs because her efforts to recruit new participants ended up in her respondents recruiting more people into their gang, her reasoning of ending the study was related to the ethical concern of ______.