Deck 6: Observational Methods

Question 1

Should an observer conceal or disclose the fact that observations are being made?

A) Concealed observation is preferred because it is less reactive.
B) Non-concealed observation is preferred because it is less reactive.
C) Concealed observation is preferred because the observer can take more precise measurements.
D) Whether concealed or non-concealed observation is preferred must be decided on an individual basis.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Sylvia is interested in studying the parental behaviours displayed by sea turtles.She spends three months scuba diving off the Mexican coast observing and recording the range of behaviours that occur.This research method would best be categorized as

A) content analysis.
B) naturalistic observation.
C) archival research.
D) experimental methodology.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Content analysis and systematic observation are similar in that both

A) utilize a coding system of some sort.
B) depend on qualitative data.
C) are forms of archival research.
D) require concealed participation.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In developing coding systems,they should

A) be as complex as possible.
B) not place behaviours into categories.
C) be as simple as possible.
D) include only nonverbal behaviours.

Question 5

You are interested in knowing if the age of an individual and their religious affiliation are related to political conservatism.To answer this question,you analyze data available from the Inter University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).Which type of research approach have you employed?

A) A case study
B) A field experiment
C) A survey archive
D) A participant observation

Question 6

The goal of naturalistic observation is to

A) test theoretical hypotheses.
B) conduct experiments in real,rather than artificial,environments.
C) get quick answers to theoretical questions.
D) describe in detail people's behaviour in a particular setting or situation.

Question 7

Wendy examines newspaper articles to explore whether female political candidates refer to family members more often than male candidates.This study is an example of a(n)

A) survey.
B) psychobiography.
C) field experiment.
D) archival research study.

Question 8

Case studies are most useful for studying

A) rare or unusual events.
B) large populations.
C) ambiguous questions.
D) cognitive variables.

Question 9

Michael examines self-disclosure that occurs between males and females by daily monitoring of Internet discussion groups.Which method of research does this best illustrate?

A) Experimental
B) Archival
C) Case study
D) Naturalistic observation

Question 10

To determine if more building permits are issued in the northern part of the county than in the southern part of the county,William examines the number of building permits issued in both counties over the last five years.William is using which of the following archival research approaches?

A) A case study
B) A field experiment
C) A survey archive
D) Statistical records

Question 11

A researcher would employ a(n)_____ when he or she wants to describe and understand how people in a setting live,work,and experience the setting.

A) content analysis
B) experimental method
C) archival research study
D) naturalistic observation

Question 12

A researcher examines the accounting records of the Noren Corporation for the past five years in order to determine why the company filed for bankruptcy.This research method would best illustrate

A) systematic observation.
B) naturalistic observation.
C) a field experiment.
D) a case study.

Question 13

The best method to test the hypothesis that male elephants are more socially dominant than female elephants would be a(n)

A) archival research study.
B) survey.
C) case study.
D) naturalistic observation.

Question 14

In systematic observation studies,reliability is indicated by

A) high agreement among observers.
B) a high FICS score.
C) high validity.
D) low reactivity.

Question 15

Which of the following is not an advantage of conducting a naturalistic observation?

A) It allows investigation of behaviours that occur in complex social settings.
B) It can always be scheduled at time that is convenient for the researcher.
C) It allows development of theories based on observations.
D) It allows the researcher to gather qualitative as well as quantitative data.

Question 16

Dr.P. ,who belongs to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA),conducts naturalistic observation research during AA meetings.Dr.P.is a ________ observer.

A) nonparticipant
B) participant
C) concealed
D) non-concealed

Question 17

An advantage of participant over nonparticipant observation is

A) the observer may lose the objectivity needed to conduct the scientific observation.
B) the researcher may be able to experience events in the same way as natural participants.
C) it is always a more ethical research approach than nonparticipant observation.
D) the conclusions lack objectivity.

Question 18

A researcher codes the nonverbal behaviours of married couples while they are discussing child-rearing methods.The researcher is using

A) naturalistic observation.
B) systematic observation.
C) a survey.
D) a case study.

Question 19

The research approach in which the researcher does not actually collect original data but analyzes already existing data is called

A) naturalistic observation.
B) a field experiment.
C) archival research.
D) systematic observation.

Question 20

Naturalistic observation is less useful than other methods for

A) investigating complex social settings.
B) developing theories based on observation.
C) making observations in a natural setting over an extended period of time.
D) studying well-defined hypotheses under precisely specified conditions.

Question 21

When Mrs.Harper asks elementary school children to indicate the number of books they have checked out of the school library during the past month,she is using what type of observational method?

A) Methodological
B) Reactive
C) Qualitative
D) Quantitative

Question 22

In a systematic observation study,two different people use the coding system to analyze the same videotape.The level of agreement between the two observers is then determined.This activity addresses which methodological issue in systematic observation?

A) Reactivity
B) Reliability
C) Sampling
D) Validity

Question 23

James analyzed data from the General Social Survey (GSS)by Statistics Canada in order to examine the relationship between education and life satisfaction.This research approach may best be categorized as a

A) naturalistic observation.
B) systematic observation.
C) survey archive.
D) content analysis.

Question 24

What is the difference between naturalistic observation and systematic observation?

A) Naturalistic observation studies are typically designed to confirm previously formed hypotheses,whereas systematic observation studies are not.
B) Systematic observation studies are typically designed to confirm previously formed hypotheses,whereas naturalistic observation studies are not.
C) Naturalistic observation studies are usually time-consuming,while systematic observation studies are not.
D) Systematic observation studies are usually time-consuming,while naturalistic observation studies are not.

Question 25

Harvey examines baseball records to determine whether National League teams who play the final game of the World Series at home lose more often than American League teams.Harvey is using which of the following archival research approaches?

A) Survey archives
B) Statistical records
C) Self-report
D) Anthropological data

Question 26

Bebe observes a child's behaviour after he has watched 15 minutes of violent cartoons.She codes the child's behaviour every 30 seconds according to whether he hits,kicks,pushes,or bites another child.This observational technique can best be described as _____ observation.

A) naturalistic
B) systematic
C) methodological
D) reactive

Question 27

Naturalistic observation is generally more ____ than systematic observation.

A) global
B) limited
C) quantitative
D) easily accomplished

Question 28

If you ask teenagers to describe the behaviours of their parents that most upsets them,you would be using a(n)_____ approach of data collection.

A) correlational
B) experimental
C) qualitative
D) quantitative

Question 29

Dr.Silverman is interested in the daily activities of a group of 4^th graders.He asks the children to indicate the amount of time per day they spend watching television,playing video games,and studying.This type of data gathering technique would be an example of a(n)_____ approach.

A) organizational
B) quantitative
C) qualitative
D) experiential

Question 30

A researcher wants to gather information on citizens' feelings about the building of a new airport in their neighborhood.She gathers groups of citizens and engages them in a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed airport.This type of data gathering would best be referred to as a(n)______ approach.

A) organizational
B) quantitative
C) qualitative
D) experiential

Question 31

A major difference between systematic observation and naturalistic observation is systematic observation

A) studies behaviour in a natural setting;naturalistic observation does not.
B) employs concealed observation;naturalistic observation does not.
C) observes specific behaviours in specific settings;naturalistic observation does not.
D) is less time consuming than naturalistic observation.

Question 32

What is a major distinction between quantitative and qualitative descriptive methods? Quantitative techniques use ____ while qualitative techniques involve _____.

A) correlational methods;experimental methods
B) experimental methods;correlational methods
C) numerical descriptions;verbal descriptions
D) verbal descriptions;numerical descriptions

Question 33

Luis studies a newspaper's attitudes towards candidates for the position of Police Chief by counting the number of positive and negative comments attributed to each candidate.Luis's research approach is an example of a

A) content analysis.
B) survey archive.
C) statistical record.
D) psychobiography.

Question 34

Tracy decides to employ naturalistic observation on students within her halls of residence.A potential problem with this type of observation is she

A) may be unable to experience the day-to-day behaviours within the halls of residence.
B) does not know the members she is observing.
C) may lose the objectivity needed to conduct the scientific observation.
D) is not using concealed observation.

Question 35

Before recording any behaviours displayed by children in a third-grade classroom,Emeril visits the classroom continually for three weeks.Emeril's visitations will help lessen

A) validity.
B) reactivity.
C) reliability.
D) sampling.

Question 36

When the conclusions of research are based on the interpretations of the investigator,_____ research has been employed.However,if the conclusions are based upon statistical analyses of the data,_____ research has been employed.

A) non-observational;observational
B) qualitative;quantitative
C) quantitative;qualitative
D) observational;non-observational

Question 37

Betsy wants to determine if types of products advertised on television vary depending on the time of day.Which type of archival research approach would you suggest she employ to best address her question?

A) Survey archive
B) Content analysis
C) Statistical records
D) Written records

Question 38

A _____ is a type of case study in which research applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual.

A) written record
B) systematic biography
C) psychobiography
D) statistical case study

Question 39

Dr.Smith participates in a police ride-along program in order to examine the day-to-day activities of police officers.This method of gathering information may best be described as

A) archival research.
B) content analysis.
C) naturalistic observation.
D) an informational approach.

Question 40

A researcher wants to test the assertion that female Olympic athletes committed suicide more often than male Olympic athletes.The appropriate method to use would be a(n)

A) archival research study.
B) survey.
C) naturalistic observation study.
D) field experiment.

Question 41

For a good naturalistic observational study,a researcher will often support the analysis by

A) testing only hypotheses that have been proposed by others.
B) using multiple confirmations.
C) using only qualitative data.
D) using only quantitative data.

Question 42

In a naturalistic observation,which of the following data-collection techniques would a researcher be least likely to employ?

A) Observation of people and events
B) Talking with key informants
C) Use audio and videotape recordings
D) Record how people respond to environmental settings manipulated by the researcher

Question 43

In a cross-cultural study on the topic of mortality,Margaret examined anthropologists' descriptions of different cultures' beliefs regarding life after death.Which archival approach has she most likely employed?

A) Statistical records
B) Survey archives
C) Written records
D) Self-reports

Question 44

Dr.Stanley examines messages displayed on Internet bulletin boards in order to study whether males and females differ in the types and number of characteristics they use when describing themselves.What type of archival research data is Dr.Stanley using?

A) Statistical records
B) Survey archives
C) Written records
D) Video observation

Question 45

Which of the following statements is least likely to be correct in comparing naturalistic to systematic observation?

A) Systematic observation studies are designed to confirm previously formed hypotheses,whereas naturalistic studies are not.
B) Data in systematic observation studies are more likely to be qualitative,whereas naturalistic studies are likely to be quantitative.
C) Systematic observation studies observe specific behaviours in specific settings,whereas naturalistic studies do not.
D) Systematic observation studies are much less global than are naturalistic observation studies.

Question 46

Data in naturalistic observation studies are most likely to be

A) quantitative.
B) qualitative.
C) unreliable.
D) non-empirical.

Question 47

Data in systematic observation studies are most likely to be

A) quantitative.
B) qualitative.
C) unreliable.
D) statistically significant.

Question 48

Observing horn honking and hand gestures displayed by drivers as measures of aggressive driving behaviour would be a(n)

A) naturalistic observation.
B) systematic observation.
C) survey.
D) archival research.

Question 49

A researcher conducted an in-depth examination of Jack the Ripper and concluded that there are three possible reasons for why he became a mass murderer.This research approach is an example of a

A) field experiment.
B) psychobiography.
C) systematic biography.
D) naturalistic observation.

Question 50

Dr.Bowman has developed a coding system for aggressive behaviours displayed in comic books.She has her assistants read comic books published between 1980 and 1984 and record the number of aggressive acts displayed in each comic.She also has her assistants read comic books published between 1985 and 1989 and record the number of aggressive acts displayed.This approach to studying aggressive behaviour may best be categorized as

A) survey research.
B) naturalistic observation.
C) writtenrecords.
D) content analysis.

Question 51

Joanne and Carole are conducting a systematic observation study on children's aggressive playground behaviour.Joanne concludes that boys display more aggressive behaviours than do girls.Carole concludes the opposite.Based on these conclusions,which methodological issue would be of most concern in this study?

A) Reactivity
B) Sampling bias
C) Validity
D) Reliability

Question 52

A researcher studies letters to the editor to assess community attitudes.The researcher is using

A) statistical records.
B) survey archives.
C) written records.
D) a case study.

Question 53

Joe and Sarah examined award-winning films of the past 20 years in order to determine if there was a common theme for the story line.Which type of archival research approach have they most likely used?

A) Mass communication records
B) Survey archives
C) Systematic observation
D) Self-report

Question 54

A two-year account of the progress of a manic-depressive patient who is undergoing psychiatric care is an example of a

A) field experiment.
B) case study.
C) systematic observation.
D) naturalistic observation.