Deck 8: Making Empirical Observations: Firsthand Observation

Question 1

In _____________ observation, the researcher observes actual behavior, with the observation more likely to occur in a natural setting than in a laboratory.

A) Structured
B) Unstructured
C) Direct
D) Indirect

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The term ________ is typically used to refer to open-ended and wide-ranging, rather than structured, observation in a natural setting like a home or office building, a community, a city, or even a country or region. In field studies, researchers typically ask questions of the people they are observing, thus field studies also involve collection of interview data.

A) Field study

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Why should researchers use caution when using physical traces to study a political phenomenon?

A) Other factors may account for variation in the measures
B) Physical traces are often too hard to understand
C) Respondents can misrepresent answers on survey forms
D) Laboratories can lead to biased behavior

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In ___________ observation, all behavior is considered relevant, at least at first, and recorded.

A) Structured
B) Unstructured
C) Direct
D) Indirect

Question 5

A(n) ________ measure is created by selective wear on some material.

A) Erosion

Question 6

Please define the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice and explain why they are important.

Question 7

Which term below best describes the effect of the data collection itself on the phenomena being measured?

A) Reactivity
B) Accretion
C) Erosion
D) Subjectivity

Question 8

________ data is data used by a researcher who did not personally collect the data.

A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Supplemental

Question 9

____________ is an immersive research design where the researcher tries to learn about cultural constrictions.

A) Ethnography
B) Panel study
C) Cross-level analysis
D) Cross-sectional analysis

Question 10

In accordance with federal regulations, universities and other research organizations require faculty and students to submit research proposals involving human subjects for review by

A) The Ethical Treatment Association
B) The National Science Foundation
C) An institutional review board
D) Those involved in the project

Question 11

In _________ observation, the investigator looks for and systematically records the incidence of specific behaviors.

A) Structured
B) Unstructured
C) Direct
D) Indirect

Question 12

A(n) ___________ measure is created by the deposition and accumulation of materials.

A) Accretion

Question 13

What is the importance of the reactivity of a data collection method?

Question 14

In ________ observation, those being observed are aware of the investigator's presence and intentions.

A) Participant
B) Overt
C) Covert
D) Structured

Question 15

In _____________ observation, the investigator is a regular participant in the activities or group being observed.

A) Participant
B) Overt
C) Covert
D) Structured

Question 16

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Question 17

In _________ observation, the investigator's presence is hidden or undisclosed and his or her intentions are disguised.

A) Participant
B) Overt
C) Covert
D) Structured

Question 18

__________ is the immersion in the place and lives of people under study.

A) Subversion
B) Ethnography
C) Accretion
D) Field study

Question 19

Compared to other research designs the risk of harm to subjects in observational studies are

A) Quite high
B) Quite low
C) About the same
D) There are no subjects in observational studies

Question 20

________ data is data recorded and used by the researcher making the observations.

A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Supplemental

Question 21

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the participant observation technique?

Question 22

What are the advantages and disadvantages of observation in a laboratory setting?

Question 23

Why is note taking a critical part of field work?

Question 24

Why does direct observation typically lead to a qualitative rather than quantitative use of the data?