Question 1

Which of the following studies is the least likely to have been developed using selective coding?
A)A study that finds that posting a personal web site is an imaginary extension of self.
B)A study that finds that self-directed seniors tend to be technology optimists who adopt the internet, leading to heavy or light use.
C)A study that finds that an online community of Mac users had several elements of religious devotion among its members.
D)A study that finds that immigrants buy products from their own countries to feel a connection to the land of their birth.
E)A study that finds that parents push their children in those areas where they were themselves not very successful.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of tabulation?
A)The data collected in qualitative research is similar to survey data.
B)Frequency of mention is a reliable measure of research importance.
C)Counting responses can keep researchers honest by providing a counterweight to biases they may bring to the analysis.
D)Analysis of co-occurrence of themes can be misleading.
E)"Fuzzy numerical qualifiers" reduce the validity and reliability of the study.

Accepted Answer

Counting responses can keep researchers honest by providing a counterweight to biases they may bring to the analysis. This is because tabulation involves counting and categorizing responses, which enables researchers to objectively analyze the data and avoid subjective biases. The other options are either incorrect or do not directly relate to the role of tabulation.

Question 3

Linda has been assigned to do a qualitative study of people's online shopping behavior. Because of a very tight budget situation, she will have to conduct this study on her own, without any help or assistance of a co-researcher. Given this constraint, she cannot do / establish:
A)iteration.
B)cross-researcher reliability.
C)tabulation.
D)emic validity.
E)integration.

Accepted Answer

Cross-researcher reliability refers to the ability to assess the consistency of results between multiple researchers. Since Linda is working alone, there is no need to establish cross-researcher reliability. All the other options (iteration, tabulation, emic validity, and integration) are still possible for Linda to do in her qualitative study.

Question 4

After observing a family eating dessert after their meals, an ethnographer records their behavior in her journal. She then asks the head of the family to read her description to verify that the story she was telling was accurate. In doing this, the ethnographer is involved in:
A)member checking.
B)thick description.
C)data categorization.
D)memo check back.
E)respondent courtesy check.

Accepted Answer

The ethnographer is practicing member checking by asking the head of the family to verify the accuracy of her description. This helps ensure the validity and credibility of the data collected.

Question 5

Which of the following relationships is / are recursive?
A)Job satisfaction increases job performance which in turn increases leadership opportunities within a company.
B)Job satisfaction decreases job performance which in turn decreases leadership opportunities within a company.
C)Job satisfaction increases job performance which in turn increases leadership opportunities which in turn increases stress which in turn decreases job satisfaction.
D)Advertising leads to sales growth which leads to greater market power.
E)Advertising leads to sales growth which leads to greater market power which leads to greater brand recognition.

Accepted Answer

The relationship in option C is recursive because the variables loop back on each other - job satisfaction leads to job performance, which leads to leadership opportunities, which leads to stress, which decreases job satisfaction, starting the loop over again. The other options have cause-and-effect relationships but do not loop back on themselves.

Question 6

In an early stage of developing grounded theory, a researcher develops a theory that is largely incorrect. Which of the following processes is intended to protect researchers from falling victims to early biases and preexisting prejudices?
A)Negative case analysis
B)Memoing
C)Thick description
D)Selective coding
E)Comparison

Accepted Answer

Negative case analysis is intended to protect researchers from early biases and preexisting prejudices by looking for cases that do not fit the emerging theory. By analyzing these negative cases, researchers can refine their theories and prevent them from being overly influenced by their initial biases. Memoing, thick description, selective coding, and comparison are all important aspects of grounded theory, but they do not specifically address the issue of early biases and preexisting prejudices.

Question 7

A researcher is in the process of reading transcripts from a field study and developing categories to put different responses in. When similar responses are encountered, they are coded similarly. The process this researcher is engaged in is called:
A)data reduction.
B)data assimilation.
C)data display.
D)data verification.
E)data congruence.

Accepted Answer

The process described is data reduction, which involves analyzing data and grouping similar responses into categories. This helps to simplify the data and make it easier to analyze and interpret. Data assimilation involves integrating data from multiple sources, while data display is the presentation of data in a meaningful way. Data verification is the process of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data, and data congruence refers to the consistency of data across different sources or measures.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding comparison?
A)Comparison first occurs as researchers identify categories.
B)Comparison processes can be used to understand the differences and similarities between two constructs of interest.
C)Comparisons cannot be made between different kinds of informants.
D)Comparisons take place during the data reduction step of qualitative data analysis.
E)Comparison can involve the use of a control group.

Accepted Answer

Comparisons can be made between different kinds of informants, such as comparing the perspectives of teachers and students on a particular topic.

Question 9

While preparing a data display for a qualitative study, a researcher displays consumers' taxonomies of products. This display can be most effectively shown with the help of a:
A)causal diagram.
B)tree display.
C)consensus map.
D)checklist.
E)recursive diagram.

Accepted Answer

A tree display is effective for showing taxonomies as it visually represents hierarchical relationships and classifications among categories or items.

Question 10

Which of the following are indicators of reliability?
A)The findings are stable, repeatable, and generalizable.
B)The findings are repeatable, dynamic, and directive.
C)The findings are universal, measurable, and representative.
D)The findings are representative, linear, and dynamic.
E)The findings are measurable, stable, and directive.

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency and accuracy of a measure or research findings. Stable and repeatable findings indicate that the measure or research is consistent and accurate over time, and generalizable findings indicate that the findings can be applied to a larger population beyond the sample studied. Therefore, option A is the best choice for indicators of reliability. Options B, C, D, and E do not accurately capture the key elements of reliability.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is false about the process of iteration?
A)The iterative process may uncover issues that were previously undiscovered.
B)The iterative process must occur before integration.
C)The iterative process may involve additional data collection.
D)An important part of the iterative process is memoing.
E)One should deliberately look for contradictory evidence during the iterative process.

Accepted Answer

The iterative process can occur both before and after integration. It is not necessarily a prerequisite for integration.

Question 12

While preparing a data display for a qualitative study, a researcher draws a picture that shows the collective connections that informants make between concepts and ideas. This is an example of a:
A)causal diagram.
B)tree display.
C)consensus map.
D)checklist.
E)recursive diagram.

Accepted Answer

A consensus map, sometimes called a concept map or mind map, is a visual representation that shows the interconnectedness of ideas and concepts as identified by study participants. This type of data display is often used in qualitative research to highlight key themes and illustrate how participants perceive relationships between different aspects of the research topic. Options A, B, D, and E are unlikely choices for this scenario.

Question 13

Instead of outlining a hypothesis, a researcher decides to look at the data and then come up with a hypothesized relationship. This process of deducing themes and patterns as one goes through the data is indicative of a(n):
A)predictive analysis.
B)deductive analysis.
C)inductive analysis.
D)selective analysis.
E)reductive analysis.

Accepted Answer

This process is known as inductive analysis, where the researcher observes patterns and themes in the data and then creates a hypothesis based on those observations. It is the opposite of deductive analysis, where a hypothesis is formed first and then data is collected to test that hypothesis.

Question 14

A researcher is interested in establishing emic validity of her findings. In order to do so, she must show that:
A)similar results have been reported by others working independently on the problem.
B)similar results can be obtained if the study were to be repeated.
C)key members of the group included in her study agreed with the findings of her study.
D)the findings of her study are generalizable.
E)the research methodology of her study complies with the necessary research standards.

Accepted Answer

Emic validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study are accurate and meaningful from the perspective of the participants or group being studied. Therefore, to establish emic validity, it is important to show that key members of the group included in the study agree with the findings. Option A refers to external validity, Option B relates to reliability, Option D concerns generalizability, and Option E pertains to methodological rigor.

Question 15

Which of the following is the least likely to be a thick description?
A)A description based on observation of a small number of individuals over an extended time period.
B)A description based on survey data collected from a large sample of 2,000 respondents.
C)A description that connects behavior to the larger social context in which it occurs.
D)A description of the consumption behavior for Pepsi in the social context of beverages consumed in schools.
E)A description of how people use personal hygiene products based upon an in-home ethnographic study.

Accepted Answer

A thick description requires detailed and nuanced information about a specific behavior, social context, or phenomenon. Survey data collected from a large sample of respondents may provide broad insights but is less likely to provide the level of detail necessary for a thick description.

Question 16

After each interview, a researcher writes down her thoughts and feelings so that she could use those notes later when she does her qualitative data analysis. This process of writing notes is called:
A)negative case analysis.
B)memoing.
C)thick description.
D)tabulation.
E)note making.

Accepted Answer

The process of writing down one's thoughts and feelings after an interview is called memoing. This is an important part of qualitative data analysis as it allows the researcher to capture their initial reactions and reflections on the interview while it is still fresh in their mind. These notes can then be used to inform further analysis and to help identify patterns and themes in the data.

Question 17

All of the following are valid means of triangulation, EXCEPT:
A)using multiple methods of data collection.
B)using multiple data sets.
C)having multiple researchers analyze the data.
D)collecting data in different time periods.
E)analyzing data at two different time periods.

Accepted Answer

Analyzing data at two different time periods is not a method of triangulation; it refers to a longitudinal study approach rather than using different perspectives or methods to validate findings.

Question 18

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to qualitative data?
A)It employs member checking.
B)It is more textual in nature.
C)Its goal is to understand a phenomenon instead of quantifying the magnitude of relationships.
D)The analysis of such data is non-iterative.
E)The analysis is largely inductive.

Accepted Answer

The statement "The analysis of such data is non-iterative" does not apply to qualitative data. Qualitative data analysis is an iterative process that involves multiple rounds of data collection, coding, and analysis.

Question 19

Qualitative research would be preferred over quantitative research in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:
A)when the research objective is to gain an insight into an issue or a problem.
B)when the research objective is to determine the magnitude of a response.
C)when the research objective is to understand a psychoanalytical phenomenon.
D)when the research objective is to understand a cultural phenomenon.
E)when the research objective is to collect textual instead of numerical data relevant to the research issue.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research is preferred when the research objective is to determine the magnitude of a response, as it involves the collection of numerical data that can be analyzed statistically. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is more appropriate for gaining insights into issues or problems, understanding psychoanalytical or cultural phenomena, and collecting textual data. Therefore, option B is the exception, as it would require quantitative research.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is incorrect about categorization and coding in the data reduction step of qualitative data analysis?
A)Categories may be labeled with either names or code numbers.
B)Categories may be determined before the study itself.
C)The same sections of data may be categorized in multiple ways.
D)Some portions of a transcript may not be coded at all.
E)Once established categories cannot be modified as data analysis continues.

Accepted Answer

The statement "Once established categories cannot be modified as data analysis continues" is incorrect. It is important to be flexible and modify categories as new information or insights emerge during the data analysis process.

Quiz 9: Qualitative Data Analysis

Which of the following studies is the least likely to have been developed using selective coding?

Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of tabulation?

Linda has been assigned to do a qualitative study of people's online shopping behavior. Because of a very tight budget situation, she will have to conduct this study on her own, without any help or assistance of a co-researcher. Given this constraint, she cannot do / establish:

After observing a family eating dessert after their meals, an ethnographer records their behavior in her journal. She then asks the head of the family to read her description to verify that the story she was telling was accurate. In doing this, the ethnographer is involved in:

Which of the following relationships is / are recursive?

In an early stage of developing grounded theory, a researcher develops a theory that is largely incorrect. Which of the following processes is intended to protect researchers from falling victims to early biases and preexisting prejudices?

A researcher is in the process of reading transcripts from a field study and developing categories to put different responses in. When similar responses are encountered, they are coded similarly. The process this researcher is engaged in is called:

Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding comparison?

While preparing a data display for a qualitative study, a researcher displays consumers' taxonomies of products. This display can be most effectively shown with the help of a:

Which of the following are indicators of reliability?

Which of the following statements is false about the process of iteration?

While preparing a data display for a qualitative study, a researcher draws a picture that shows the collective connections that informants make between concepts and ideas. This is an example of a:

Instead of outlining a hypothesis, a researcher decides to look at the data and then come up with a hypothesized relationship. This process of deducing themes and patterns as one goes through the data is indicative of a(n) :

A researcher is interested in establishing emic validity of her findings. In order to do so, she must show that:

Which of the following is the least likely to be a thick description?

After each interview, a researcher writes down her thoughts and feelings so that she could use those notes later when she does her qualitative data analysis. This process of writing notes is called:

All of the following are valid means of triangulation, EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to qualitative data?

Qualitative research would be preferred over quantitative research in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements is incorrect about categorization and coding in the data reduction step of qualitative data analysis?