Question 1

Some experienced researchers argue that when theory building ceases or reaches a closure,it is time to
A)write up the results.
B)analyze the field notes and other sources of data taken from the research site.
C)start looking for additional sources of information.
D)leave the field.
E)consider what the secondary literature has said about similar kinds of research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some experienced researchers argue that when theory...

Question 2

A field researcher's jotted notes should
A)only include key words or short phrases to stir the memory.
B)be written inconspicuously,especially for covert observation.
C)never be a complete substitute for field notes.
D)be written in a small notebook,the back of a pamphlet,or even on a napkin if necessary.
E)all of the above.

Accepted Answer

A field researcher's jotted notes should include key words or short phrases to stir the memory, but they should also never be a complete substitute for field notes. They should be written inconspicuously, especially for covert observation, which might require the use of a small notebook, the back of a pamphlet, or even a napkin if necessary. Therefore, all of the above options are the best choices.

Question 3

Which of the following is a recommendation for taking good field notes?
A)Totally substitute tape or video recording for the old-fashioned system of writing notes.
B)Record field events in any order; do not worry about putting them in a time order or organizing them chronologically.
C)Ignore small talk or routine information that does not seem important to save space.
D)Do not "let your feelings flow," but be objective and think through everything before writing,using complete sentences,proper punctuation,and correct spelling.
E)Reread notes periodically and record any ideas that come to you from the rereading.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a recommendation...

Question 4

As a field researcher,Sally Ann adopts the attitude of strangeness.This means that she
A)is strange,because only strange people want to do social research.
B)finds it difficult to conduct social research on strangers.
C)acts as if she knows less than she really does and puts on a "front" as if she were ignorant of what is going on.
D)remains distant,cold,and angry toward members in the field setting.
E)questions and notices ordinary details as if she was a stranger.

Accepted Answer

Adopting the attitude of strangeness means questioning and noticing ordinary details as if the researcher was a stranger. This approach allows the researcher to avoid assumptions and biases, and to see the field from a fresh perspective. It does not mean that the researcher is actually strange or that they are distant or angry towards members in the field setting.

Question 5

When observing in the field observation,Sally Ann helped the daycare teachers clean up at the end of the day.She also answered the telephone when everyone else was busy.This illustrates
A)"cooling out" the gatekeepers.
B)the use of small favours.
C)appearances of interest.
D)managing conflicts in the field.
E)cultivating social relations.

Accepted Answer

Sally Ann's behavior can be seen as the use of small favours, which is a common strategy used in field observation to gain access and build rapport with gatekeepers and participants. By helping to clean up and answering the phone, she is showing her willingness to be helpful and contribute to the community, which can help to establish trust and facilitate her research.

Question 6

The field researcher should
A)not expect personal stress or psychological discomfort,but plan for a relaxing and totally enjoyable experience.
B)disguise or obscure the names of those being studied and keep information confidential or even write them in code.
C)never use personal connections or friendships to gain entry into a field setting.
D)resolve all ethical dilemmas,problems,and issues before entering the field.
E)avoid the "learner" or "incompetent" social role,but instead appear to be in command at all times and be the expert on the scene.

Accepted Answer

It is important for field researchers to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the individuals or groups being studied. This ensures that their rights are protected and that the research is conducted in an ethical manner. Furthermore, obscuring names and using codes helps protect anonymity, and is required when sensitive or confidential information is collected.

Question 7

What are the three most relevant factors a beginner should consider when selecting a field research site?
A)Richness of data,familiarity with the site,and suitability of the site
B)Ease of entry,familiarity with the site,and suitability of the site
C)Richness of data,ease of entry,familiarity with the site
D)Richness of data,unfamiliarity with the site,and suitability of the site
E)Richness of data,ease of entry,and suitability of the site

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three most relevant factors...

Question 8

When does "guilty knowledge" occur?
A)A researcher becomes overinvolved in the field setting and loses objectivity or the role of researcher becomes a complete participant
B)The researcher selects a smaller set of observations based on time or activity in order to further develop theory and test developing hypotheses
C)Members tell the researcher untruths to purposely mislead or give a false view
D)A researcher learns about secret,illicit,or illegal activities during the course of conducting field research
E)A person with formal or informal authority controls access to the field setting

Accepted Answer

Guilty knowledge occurs when a researcher learns about secret, illicit, or illegal activities during the course of conducting field research. This knowledge can potentially compromise the researcher's ability to maintain a neutral and objective stance in their observations and analysis. It may also require the researcher to consider ethical and legal implications and potential consequences of their knowledge.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the things a field researcher does?
A)Observes ordinary events and everyday activities as they happen in natural settings,in addition to any unusual occurrences
B)Acquires an insider's point of view while maintaining the analytic perspective or distance of an outsider
C)Maintains cool detachment from members in a field setting
D)Produces data in the form of extensive written notes,as well as diagrams,maps,or pictures to provide very detailed descriptions
E)Copes with high levels of personal stress,uncertainty,ethical dilemmas,and ambiguity

Accepted Answer

Maintaining cool detachment is not one of the things that field researchers do. Instead, they strive to develop close relationships with the people they are studying in order to gain a deeper understanding of their culture and way of life.

Question 10

During which of the following steps or phases in field research does a researcher need to become concerned with issues of negotiation and disclosure?
A)During the preparation,reading,and defocusing phase
B)When selecting a field site and thinking about how to gain access to it
C)When entering the field and establishing social relations with members of the field site
D)During the process of adopting a social role and learning the ropes
E)At every step of the research process

Accepted Answer

Negotiation and disclosure become important when entering the field and establishing social relations with members of the field site. It is during this phase that researchers need to negotiate access and disclose their research objectives to the people they will be studying.

Question 11

As a ________,the researcher's role is limited to simple observation.
A)complete participant
B)semi-observer
C)complete observer
D)overt observer
E)semi-participant

Accepted Answer

As a complete observer, the researcher's role is limited to simple observation without taking part in the activity being observed. They do not interact with the participants and do not attempt to control the situation in any way. They merely watch and record what they see, making notes and observations for later analysis. This approach is often used in studies where the researcher wants to avoid influencing the participants' behaviour or where confidentiality is crucial.

Question 12

In relation to the quality of data gathered during observations of a field site,which of the following statements best describes the concern regarding transferability?
A)How consistent the results would be if the study were repeated under similar conditions
B)An awareness of how the researcher may be influencing the behaviour of the group being studied
C)Asking members of the group whether or not they agree with the researcher's findings and conclusions
D)The extent to which the researcher has remained in the field long enough in order to make informed conclusions about what is being observed
E)The extent to which the findings of the study can be applied to other contexts

Accepted Answer

Transferability refers to how well the findings of a study can be applied to other contexts. This is a concern because the observations and data collected in a specific field site may only be applicable to that particular site, and may not be transferable to other similar settings. Therefore, it is important to consider how generalizable the findings are and whether they can be applied to other contexts or populations.

Question 13

During the process of observation in the field site,the researcher notes seemingly mundane and trivial details,such as neatness,dress,and hairstyle.What broader category of observations do neatness,dress,and hairstyle refer to?
A)Physical surroundings
B)Physical characteristics
C)Behaviour
D)Physical appearances
E)The rhythms of the setting

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the process of observation in the...

Question 14

If one is in a field setting where there are opposing groups in conflict with one another,the best thing to do is
A)immediately choose one group and side with it.Becoming a strong advocate for its position is the best way to gain trust and intimacy.
B)leave the field immediately.Researchers must avoid all conflict and stay neutral.
C)try to be as impartial as possible.Explain that you are neutral to both sides to keep lines of communication open.
D)take an active role as mediator.Use your influence to get the groups to be friendly with each other and end their fighting.
E)use the opportunity to leave the setting entirely.A field researcher must never be privy to group conflict.

Accepted Answer

As a field researcher, it is essential to remain impartial and avoid taking sides. Taking sides may lead to accusations of bias, which can harm your research's validity. Instead, maintaining an open line of communication with both groups can help you gather comprehensive data and develop a better understanding of the conflict.

Question 15

During her field research project at a daycare centre,Sally Ann described social research to the daycare centre workers,told them about her own background,and ignored minor violations of official rules.This illustrates
A)normalizing social field research.
B)use of small favours.
C)negotiating with a gatekeeper.
D)appearance of interest.
E)attitude of strangeness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of During her field research project at a...

Question 16

Dren Derob's field notes containing his observations of behaviour in a university computer lab contained the following observation: "Sandy appears very self-conscious of herself today ...she seems a little out of place ...I think she's nervous about something." What type of field note does this kind of observation refer to?
A)Direct observation note
B)Researcher inference note
C)Jotted note
D)Analytic note
E)Personal note

Accepted Answer

This type of observation refers to a researcher inference note, as the observer is making an interpretation or inference about Sandy's behavior based on their own observations and understanding of social norms and cues.

Question 17

In field research,the instrument(s)for measuring field data
A)is the field site.
B)are the recorded conversations and observations with the members of the field site.
C)are the members of the field site.
D)are the field notes.
E)is the researcher.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In field research,the instrument(s)for measuring field data
A)is...

Question 18

Professor John Johnson has selected a field research site based on the following criteria: the amount of time available to him for carrying out the project,his research skills,and the kinds of conflicts that exist between people who inhabit the site.On what basis did the professor make his choice?
A)Unfamiliarity with the site
B)Familiarity with the site
C)Suitability of the site
D)Richness of data
E)Accessibility to the site

Accepted Answer

The professor selected the field research site based on the suitability of the site, taking into consideration his available time, research skills, and the conflicts that exist between inhabitants. This suggests that he chose a site that is appropriate for his research objectives and has potential for yielding meaningful data.

Question 19

During his observation of behaviour in a university computer lab,Dren Derob made a map that illustrated the placement of chairs,tables,computer monitors,the chalkboard,doorways,and windows.What kind of map did Dren make?
A)A spatial map
B)A spatial map and a temporal map
C)A temporal map and a social map
D)A temporal map
E)A social map

Accepted Answer

Dren's map illustrates the physical layout and placement of objects in the computer lab, indicating that he created a spatial map. It does not include any information about time or social interactions, ruling out options B, C, D, and E.

Question 20

When does theory come into play in the writing of field notes?
A)Personal notes
B)Inference notes
C)Direct observation notes
D)Jotted notes
E)Analytical notes

Accepted Answer

Theory comes into play in the writing of analytical notes because these notes involve the interpretation and analysis of direct observation notes and other data collected during fieldwork. Theories are used to make connections between different observations and to identify patterns and relationships in the data. Personal, jotted, and inference notes are more focused on the immediate observations and do not necessarily require the use of theory.

Quiz 13: Field Research

Some experienced researchers argue that when theory building ceases or reaches a closure,it is time to

A field researcher's jotted notes should

Which of the following is a recommendation for taking good field notes?

As a field researcher,Sally Ann adopts the attitude of strangeness.This means that she

When observing in the field observation,Sally Ann helped the daycare teachers clean up at the end of the day.She also answered the telephone when everyone else was busy.This illustrates

The field researcher should

What are the three most relevant factors a beginner should consider when selecting a field research site?

When does "guilty knowledge" occur?

Which of the following is NOT one of the things a field researcher does?

During which of the following steps or phases in field research does a researcher need to become concerned with issues of negotiation and disclosure?

As a ________,the researcher's role is limited to simple observation.

In relation to the quality of data gathered during observations of a field site,which of the following statements best describes the concern regarding transferability?

During the process of observation in the field site,the researcher notes seemingly mundane and trivial details,such as neatness,dress,and hairstyle.What broader category of observations do neatness,dress,and hairstyle refer to?

If one is in a field setting where there are opposing groups in conflict with one another,the best thing to do is

During her field research project at a daycare centre,Sally Ann described social research to the daycare centre workers,told them about her own background,and ignored minor violations of official rules.This illustrates

In field research,the instrument(s) for measuring field data

Professor John Johnson has selected a field research site based on the following criteria: the amount of time available to him for carrying out the project,his research skills,and the kinds of conflicts that exist between people who inhabit the site.On what basis did the professor make his choice?

During his observation of behaviour in a university computer lab,Dren Derob made a map that illustrated the placement of chairs,tables,computer monitors,the chalkboard,doorways,and windows.What kind of map did Dren make?

When does theory come into play in the writing of field notes?