Deck 8: Field Research

Question 1

Grounded theory is not built from qualitative field observations.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Which of the following would not be a logical crime to study using the field research techniques?

A)prostitution
B)shoplifting
C)embezzlement
D)drug use

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Fortunately, when doing field research sampling is very straight forward and you don't have the concerns that would be present in survey techniques.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Many different options are available for gathering data in field research.

Question 5

It may be helpful to record field notes onto highly structured forms created prior to the beginning of the study.

Question 6

Which of the following is not an effective role (in the sense that the researcher could affect what he/she is studying)for a field researcher?

A)total observation
B)total participation
C)participant-as-observer
D)observer-as-participant

Question 7

Field research is often associated with qualitative techniques.

Question 8

When it is necessary to study phenomenon in their natural setting, experiments are the best approach to take.

Question 9

Field research in criminal justice may produce either qualitative or quantitative data.

Question 10

If the researcher feels they will need to ask questions of the subjects, what is the best technique in field research to use?

A)complete observer
B)complete participant
C)a combination of observer and participant
D)surveys

Question 11

Which of the following is true concerning qualitative field research?

A)it is often a theory or hypothesis generating activity
B)always has clear operational definitions of key terms
C)must begin with clearly stated and defined hypotheses
D)None of the above are true.

Question 12

Field observation is not the preferred data collection method for obtaining information about physical or social settings, behavior, and events.

Question 13

Which of the following is accurate concerning data acquired during field research?

A)qualitative data that is easily reduced to numbers
B)quantitative data that is not easily reduced to numbers
C)qualitative data that is not easily reduced to numbers
D)all the data gathered must be reducible to numbers

Question 14

Qualitative field research is the preferred method for studying

A)many subjects who change language
B)many types of crimes
C)many types of phenomena
D)many types of active offenders.

Question 15

Qualitative field research is the preferred method for studying many types of active offenders, especially those with no recorded arrests or convictions for particular crimes.

Question 16

Which of the following is most frequently used as a tool to gather data when doing field research?

A)asking questions
B)reviewing written documents
C)direct observation
D)surveys

Question 17

Field research is a data collection method that involves the __________________of phenomena in their natural settings.

A)direct observation
B)written records
C)grounded theory
D)accurate measures

Question 18

Field research is a data collection method that involves the direct observation of phenomena in their natural settings.

Question 19

Research involving which of the following groups would not be receptive to the use of unstructured interviews?

A)criminals
B)police officers
C)judges
D)probation officers

Question 20

In determining which role to assume while doing field research which of the following should the research consider?

A)ethical and methodological considerations
B)how much money they have to do the research
C)who their subjects are
D)whether they will be using subjects in formal or informal organizations

Question 21

Which of the following is not something that your letter, as a follow up to identification of the sponsor, should contain?

A)the name of your sponsor
B)a detailed description of your research
C)arranging a time and date for a phone call
D)identify that you want to meet and talk with the contact person

Question 22

The letter to a formal organization should include all of the following topics except __________.

A)the purpose of your research
B)who is funding your research
C)the action that you request someone to do for you
D)name your sponsor within the organization

Question 23

What time of the year would be best to do an observational study of thefts from cars parked at shopping malls?

A)early in the year, January - February
B)early summer, June - July
C)late summer, August
D)late in the year, December

Question 24

After you have identified a sponsor and sent a letter to a formal organization stating your interest in research, a phone call is typically the next step in the process. You have agreed upon a time and day for the phone call and at the appointed time, you call.The director will not take your call.In this case, you should do which of the following?

A)forget that organization as a target of your research because if the director will not take your call now, you cannot expect much from him once the research begins
B)keep calling back until your call is taken by the director
C)ask to speak the director's assistant and make an appointment for a meeting
D)find another sponsor and see if you have better luck getting access to the director

Question 25

Which of the following is not correct concerning structured observations?

A)they enable the researcher to generate numeric measures of observed conditions
B)they are best suited for studies where a researcher is expected to encounter a wide variety of situations
C)they are more reliable than other methods
D)they require careful training

Question 26

What is the advantage to using unstructured interviewing techniques when conducting field research?

A)the researcher knows a lot about the subject under study
B)the researcher may not want be likely to enter into casual conversation with the subject as a means of gathering data
C)the researcher and subject may have short fixed time for the interview
D)the researcher and subject may witness an event together

Question 27

In structured field observations, the data collection form resembles a survey questionnaire.For example, the environmental surveys are used for which of the following research purposes?

A)determining the grounded theory
B)planning police strategies in drug enforcement and to assess the impact of those strategies
C)developing notes on graffiti and vandalism damage in an urban area
D)finding out green environment

Question 28

Researchers Field research results can have general applicability beyond the specific settings observed.However findings cannot be formally generalized compared to those based on __________________________________.

A)Specific settings
B)surveys
C)participant observations
D)rigorous sampling and standardized questionnaires

Question 29

Which of the following statements is not true concerning field research?

A)It has greater validity and reliability than does survey research.
B)It often involves theory creation.
C)It often combines observation and asking questions.
D)It can provide both qualitative and quantitative data.

Question 30

Which of the following is not a guideline for good field note taking?

A)don't trust your memory, write down as much as possible unobtrusively
B)develop your notes from sketchy to more detailed with rewrites
C)use only key words and phrases in your notes, you will remember the details at a later date
D)record as many details as you can right after each observation session

Question 31

Regardless of the techniques used to identify subjects from subcultures, there will be concerns.Which of the following is not one of them?

A)lack of probability sampling
B)selection bias
C)generally a small sample size
D)there are no concerns once you get an informant to introduce members of their subculture

Question 32

Qualitative research____________________.

A)is unable to generate theory
B)can be called a process of grounded theory
C)can be used to produce only quantitative data
D)is unreliable

Question 33

Field notes should include all but which of the following?

A)specific names of those being studied and where events happen even if those being studied are criminals
B)what you specifically witnessed
C)what you think that you witnessed
D)your interpretations of what you witnessed

Question 34

Which of the following is true concerning the reliability of quantitative field studies?

A)Reliability can be strengthened by reviewing police records
B)Reliability can be strengthened by reviewing by the director of the organization
C)Reliability can be strengthened by contacting various personnel within the organization
D)The reliability of quantitative field studies can be enhanced by careful attention to the details of observation.

Question 35

Qualitative field research compared to surveys ___________________________.

A)is easier to conduct
B)is more reliable
C)is stronger on validity but weaker on reliability
D)is less expensive

Question 36

Field research in criminal justice may produce either or

A)Only qualitative data
B)Only quantitative data
C)either qualitative or quantitative data
D)Only grounded theory

Question 37

Which of the following is a serious consideration for researchers who adopt the role of complete participant when doing field research?

A)generalizability
B)ethics
C)validity
D)reliability

Question 38

If field observations will be made on a phenomenon that occurs with some degree of regularity, what sampling techniques can be used to select cases for observation?

A)Purposive sampling techniques
B)Snowball sampling techniques
C)Participant sampling techniques
D)Quantitative sampling techniques

Question 39

Which of the following is false concerning the use of field notes for recording observations?

A)field notes include what you are sure you have observed
B)field notes should not include unanticipated events
C)field notes should include what you think you observed
D)note taking can be done on standardized recording forms that you create prior to the start of the research

Question 40

To gain access to a formal criminal justice organization for the purpose of conducting field research, which of the following steps should be followed?

A)find an informant and then send a letter to gain access
B)find a sponsor, send a letter, follow up with a phone call and then set up a meeting
C)telephone the agency and speak with the director and set up a meeting
D)field research cannot be done in formal criminal justice organizations, only use of written records is allowed

Question 41

Identify the various methods that can be used to record observations.Offer an explanation of which method, in your opinion, is most effective and why. Also, which method, in your opinion, is least effective and why.

Question 42

Identify the difference between the various roles of the observer in field research.Offer an example of a research scenario that would be appropriate for each role.

Question 43

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research and survey research.Give specific attention to the topics of validity, reliability and generalizability.

Question 44

A theory that is created based upon experience and field observations is referred to as a(n)_______________ theory.

Question 45

The ___________________ is the person who will assist you in gaining access to a subculture.

Question 46

Describe the steps that would be necessary to gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of doing field research.

Question 47

Field research is usually considered to be strong on validity yet weak on ____________.

Question 48

When the researcher starts to identify too closely with the interests and viewpoints of the participants, they are said to have ______________.

Question 49

A researcher engaged in field research would likely use ________________ data that is defined as observations that are not easily reduced to numbers.

Question 50

Field research has covered the wide range of applications from highly structured counting to less structured field observations and _____________________.

Question 51

Strengths and weaknesses of field research can be measured in terms of validity, which refers to whether you are actually measuring what you are supposed to measure instead of something else;reliability refers to dependability, while ____________ refers to whether specific findings apply to the unobserved.

Question 52

To gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of field research, one needs to find a(n)____________ who is personally known to and respected by the director.

Question 53

Why is it often necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? Give examples of other types of data that are often used in criminal justice research and how each may be used as a link to field research.

Question 54

Field research interviews use less structured methods known by Patton as ____________.

Question 55

When the researcher selects the role of ________________ they are participating with the group but let the group know that they are conducting research.