Question 1

Alex the parrot's remarkable facility for language was reported in a journal article. What type of research technique was used?
A) Archival
B) Participant-Observer
C) Survey
D) Case Study

Accepted Answer

The article seems to focus on the language abilities of a specific parrot named Alex, which suggests that a case study research technique was used to gather and report on this information.

Question 2

Theory development in observational or archival research
A) should be more formal and deductive than other research
B) is to be avoided in favor of gathering data and generating hypotheses
C) should be done before the data are collected
D) None of these are true.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Theory development in observational or archival research
A)...

Question 3

As part of a research project on factors promoting group leadership, a psychology graduate student joins a campus social club. This is an example of ________ research.
A) naturalistic-observation
B) participant-observer
C) case study
D) archival

Accepted Answer

Participant-observer research involves a researcher actively participating in the group or setting being studied while also observing and collecting data. In this scenario, the graduate student is joining a campus social club in order to observe and collect data on factors promoting group leadership.

Question 4

A major limitation of archival research is that
A) most archival data are nonscientific
B) archival data are not always factual
C) records and data are often difficult to obtain
D) biases may be present in the records or data

Accepted Answer

Archival research can be limited by the presence of biases in the records or data, which can affect the validity and reliability of research findings.

Question 5

The principle characteristic of case studies is that they examine
A) Past records that are often publicly available
B) Individual instances of some phenomenon
C) The differences between groups
D) The results of questionnaires

Accepted Answer

Case studies focus on examining individual instances of a phenomenon, rather than comparing groups or analyzing questionnaire results. Past records may be used in a case study, but they are not the primary focus.

Question 6

In case-study investigations, the researcher:
A) generally uses a single, reliable method of data collection
B) usually establishes the problem and hypothesis in advance
C) investigates a real-life problem within its real-life context
D) establishes clear boundaries between the phenomenon and the context in which the phenomenon takes place

Accepted Answer

In case-study investigations, the researcher investigates a real-life problem within its real-life context. This means that the researcher is examining a specific situation or phenomenon as it naturally occurs in the world, without trying to isolate it from its context. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is not accurate because case studies often involve multiple methods of data collection. Option B is not necessarily true because the hypothesis may emerge from the data collected during the investigation. Option D is not accurate because case studies typically emphasize the interconnectedness of the phenomenon and its context, rather than creating artificial boundaries between them.

Question 7

A first hand story reflecting the meaning experienced by the teller is called a
A) survey
B) participant-observer study
C) narrative case study
D) naturalistic observation study

Accepted Answer

A narrative case study focuses on an individual's personal experience or story and how it reflects a broader concept or meaning. This aligns with the description given in the question of a first-hand story reflecting the meaning experienced by the teller. A survey typically involves questionnaires and does not involve a first-hand story, a participant-observer study involves the researcher actively participating in the situation being observed, and a naturalistic observation study involves observing behavior in a natural setting without intervention or manipulation.

Question 8

In comparison to those that use experimental techniques, observational researchers often use a process of testing hypotheses that is more
A) Formal
B) Flexible
C) Deductive
D) Hypothesis driven

Accepted Answer

Observational researchers often have limited control over the variables they are studying and may not be able to manipulate them in the way that experimental researchers can. As a result, observational research is often more flexible and adaptable to changing conditions or unexpected results. While both deductive and hypothesis-driven approaches can be used in observational research, the emphasis is often more on generating hypotheses based on observations and then testing them, rather than starting with a predetermined hypothesis and designing experiments to confirm or disprove it. Overall, observational research may be less formal than experimental research, but it can still involve structured and systematic approaches to data collection and analysis.

Question 9

A researcher Phillips, 1977) analyzed the records of all motor vehicle fatalities in California in an effort to see whether some of them might actually be suicides. What research technique was he using?
A) Archival
B) Participant-Observer
C) Survey
D) Case Study

Accepted Answer

Phillips was analyzing preexisting records (the archives) to draw conclusions about the data. This is an example of using archival research techniques.

Question 10

One of the problems inherent in participant-observer research is a difficulty with
A) Reliability
B) Validity
C) Objectivity
D) Instrumentation

Accepted Answer

Participant-observer research involves the researcher immersing themselves in the setting or group being studied. This can make it challenging to maintain objectivity, as the researcher may become too involved or biased towards certain aspects of the research. However, reliability and instrumentation are not as relevant to this type of research, as it is not solely focused on collecting numerical data. Validity is still important, but the lack of objectivity can also impact the validity of the findings.

Question 11

Collett and Marsh 1974) videotaped instances when two people met in a hallway to avoid collision. This type of research is called
A) naturalistic observation
B) participant-observer
C) case study
D) archival

Accepted Answer

The study involves observing people in a natural setting (a hallway) without any manipulation or intervention by the researchers. This is known as naturalistic observation.

Question 12

Participant-Observer research is most appropriate when:
A) little is known about the group
B) studying a group that is isolated from the population
C) the group's behavior is generally not accessible to public scrutiny
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Participant-Observer research is most appropriate when little is known about the group, the group is isolated from the population, or the group's behavior is generally not accessible to public scrutiny. Therefore, all of these choices are correct.

Question 13

A researcher decides to go through police records in an effort to find out whether there is any evidence of racial profiling. What research technique is being used?
A) Participant-Observer
B) Survey
C) Archival
D) Case Study

Accepted Answer

Archival research involves analyzing already existing data or records, which is what the researcher is doing by going through police records to investigate racial profiling.

Question 14

A major disadvantage of observational research is that
A) standardized observational instruments are not very reliable
B) only overt behaviors can be observed
C) observers may make biased reports
D) the presence of the observer may affect the behavior that is to be observed

Accepted Answer

The presence of the observer may affect the behavior that is to be observed. This is known as the Hawthorne effect, which occurs when individuals modify their behavior in response to being observed. This can limit the generalizability of the observations made.

Question 15

In observational research, threats to validity may be controlled
A) Mathematically
B) With a well-developed hypothesis
C) Through a thorough understanding of the problem at hand
D) With a deductive process

Accepted Answer

The answer of In observational research, threats to validity may...

Question 16

One of the challenges of performing archival research is
A) Finding the archives that contain the information
B) Locating an appropriate subject
C) Return rate
D) Figuring out statistical analysis

Accepted Answer

One of the major challenges of performing archival research is finding the archives that contain the information you need. It can be difficult to locate relevant archives and navigate the processes for accessing them, especially if the archives are located in another geographic location or if they are not digitalized.

Question 17

In a research project investigating power relationships in speech, first-semester college freshman and college seniors were invited to a laboratory in equal numbers. There, they were asked to chat and get to know each other before the real experiment began. The researchers actually analyzed the number of interruptions that people made in the course of a conversation. This is an example of __________ research.
A) Naturalistic observation
B) Participant observer
C) Laboratory observation
D) Archival

Accepted Answer

The fact that participants were invited to a laboratory and asked to chat before the experiment indicates that this is a type of laboratory observation. The researchers analyzed the number of interruptions made during the conversation, which is a measure of power relationships in speech.

Question 18

Case-study research
A) is the study of an existing situation
B) requires examining factual information in existing records
C) follows a standardized format
D) is typically well planned in advance

Accepted Answer

Case-study research involves the study of a particular situation, organization or individual in depth. It aims to understand the complexities of the situation, the processes involved, and the context in which it occurs. It is not necessarily standardized or well-planned in advance, and may involve gathering data from a variety of sources, including records, interviews, observations or surveys.

Question 19

Which one of the following methods of analysis requires the least interpretation?
A) unobtrusive observation
B) latent content
C) physical trace
D) hermeneutics

Accepted Answer

Physical trace analysis involves examining physical objects or artifacts, such as documents or objects, and does not require as much interpretation as other methods such as hermeneutics or latent content analysis. Unobtrusive observation also requires interpretation as the researcher must make decisions about what to observe and how to classify behaviors. Hermeneutics involves interpreting meaning and understanding of texts or cultural practices, and latent content analysis involves interpreting underlying meanings or themes in texts or media.

Question 20

Many case studies result from
A) Problems that must be studied quickly, or else the chance to study them is lost
B) Studies of magnetic resonance imaging
C) Careful assignment of participants to groups
D) Careful reading of police records

Accepted Answer

Case studies often arise from unexpected or time-sensitive situations where quick and close observation is necessary before the opportunity is lost. Examples could include a rare medical condition or a one-time event that cannot be replicated for study.

Quiz 8: Nonexperimental Research, Part I: Observational,

Alex the parrot's remarkable facility for language was reported in a journal article. What type of research technique was used?

Theory development in observational or archival research

As part of a research project on factors promoting group leadership, a psychology graduate student joins a campus social club. This is an example of ________ research.

A major limitation of archival research is that

The principle characteristic of case studies is that they examine

In case-study investigations, the researcher:

A first hand story reflecting the meaning experienced by the teller is called a

In comparison to those that use experimental techniques, observational researchers often use a process of testing hypotheses that is more

A researcher Phillips, 1977) analyzed the records of all motor vehicle fatalities in California in an effort to see whether some of them might actually be suicides. What research technique was he using?

One of the problems inherent in participant-observer research is a difficulty with

Collett and Marsh 1974) videotaped instances when two people met in a hallway to avoid collision. This type of research is called

Participant-Observer research is most appropriate when:

A researcher decides to go through police records in an effort to find out whether there is any evidence of racial profiling. What research technique is being used?

A major disadvantage of observational research is that

In observational research, threats to validity may be controlled

One of the challenges of performing archival research is

Case-study research

Which one of the following methods of analysis requires the least interpretation?

Many case studies result from