Deck 9: Section 1: Field Observation

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

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

Answer 3

True

Question 4

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

Question 5

Field research encompasses two different methods of obtaining data: 1) making direct observation and 2) writing detailed questions..

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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

Question 9

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 10

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

Question 11

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 12

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

Question 13

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 14

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

Question 15

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 16

Grounded theory is not built from qualitative field observations.

Question 17

Field research is often associated with qualitative techniques.

Question 18

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

Question 19

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 20

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 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

Qualitative field observations ____________________.

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 27

Criminal justice research sometimes combines field research with surveys or _________________________________________________

A) data from newspaper accounts
B) data from official records.
C) Data from telephone discussions
D) All of the above

Question 28

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 29

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 30

The behavior of people, together with the characteristics of people and places, can
Vary by population group,____________________________________________.

A) race, school attended
B) time of the year
C) weather
D) location, time, and weather

Question 31

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 32

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 33

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 34

Field notes should include both empirical observations and

A) live discussions
B) interpretations of them
C) data analysis
D) names of the participants

Question 35

In field research, validity often refers to whether the _______________________ of the things observed or people interviewed has been accurately captured.

A) true meaning
B) hypothesized meaning
C) intended meaning
D) assigned meaning

Question 36

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 37

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 38

Field observation can produce systematic counts of behaviors and ___________________________________________ beyond those actually observed.

A) the name of participants
B) reasonable estimates for a large population of behaviors
C) time and dates for all
D) identify that you want to meet and talk with the contact person

Question 39

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 40

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 41

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

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

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

Question 45

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 46

Field research encompasses two different methods of obtaining data: making direct observation and ___________________________________________

Question 47

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

Question 48

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

Question 49

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

Question 50

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

Question 51

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

Question 52

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

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

Question 55

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