Question 1

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&#8217;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 the ability to generalize the findings of a study to other contexts or populations. Therefore, the concern regarding transferability is the extent to which the findings can be applied to other contexts.

Question 2

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 researcher, it is important to maintain impartiality to avoid any bias or favoritism towards one group. This can help to build trust and maintain open communication with both sides. Taking sides or becoming a mediator can potentially harm the credibility of the researcher and compromise the validity of the research findings. It is also not advisable to leave the field immediately as it may disrupt the ongoing research process.

Question 3

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. These notes involve interpreting and analyzing the data collected in the field and applying relevant theories and concepts to it. Personal notes, jotting down observations, making inferences, and writing direct observation notes are all initial steps in the process, but it is the analytical notes where theory becomes most important.

Question 4

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 &#8220;let your feelings flow,&#8221;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

Rereading notes periodically and recording any new ideas helps in reflecting on the data and ensuring that important insights are not missed.

Question 5

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&#8217;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 from members in a field setting is not one of the things a field researcher does. In fact, it is important for a field researcher to establish rapport and build relationships with the members of the setting they are observing to gain access to and better understand the culture and behaviors of that setting.

Question 6

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)&#8220;cooling out&#8221;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 actions demonstrate the use of small favours, as she is helping the daycare teachers clean up and answering the phone when others are busy. This is a common strategy in field observation, where the observer builds rapport and ingratiates themselves with the people they are observing by doing small favours for them.

Question 7

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 &#8220;front&#8221;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 that Sally Ann questions and notices ordinary details as if she was a stranger, which is exactly what option E describes. The other options do not accurately describe this attitude.

Question 8

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 9

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

Issues of negotiation and disclosure arise when entering the field and establishing social relations with members of the field site. This is when the researcher must negotiate access to the site and disclose their research intentions to potential participants. While negotiation and disclosure may happen at other stages of field research, it is most crucial during the initial entry into the field.

Question 10

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

All of the above options are correct. A field researcher's jotted notes should include key words or short phrases to stir the memory, be written inconspicuously for covert observation, never be a complete substitute for field notes, and be written in a small notebook, the back of a pamphlet, or even on a napkin if necessary. These practices ensure that important observations and data are not forgotten or lost while conducting field research.

Question 11

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 &#8220;learner&#8221;or &#8220;incompetent&#8221;social role,but instead appear to be in command at all times and be the expert on the scene.

Accepted Answer

Disguising or obscuring names and keeping information confidential is important in maintaining the privacy and dignity of those being studied. This is a crucial aspect of ethical research.

Question 12

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 made a spatial map, which is a type of map that represents the physical arrangement of features in the environment, such as the placement of chairs, tables, and windows in the computer lab. A spatial map does not necessarily include information on time or social aspects of behavior.

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

Neatness, dress, and hairstyle are aspects of physical appearances, which refer to the observable attributes related to how individuals present themselves visually.

Question 14

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 15

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 have ethical implications and must be handled carefully to protect the confidentiality and safety of participants and to maintain the integrity of the research.

Question 16

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 chose the research site based on suitability, which includes factors such as the amount of time available to him, his research skills, and the kinds of conflicts that exist between people who inhabit the site. This suggests that the site is appropriate for his research needs and goals.

Question 17

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 observation is a researcher inference note, as it is the researcher's interpretation of Sandy's behavior based on their observations. It goes beyond a simple objective record of behavior and includes the researcher's subjective interpretation of what they are observing.

Question 18

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

When theory building reaches closure, it suggests that the research has reached a point of saturation, and further data collection is unlikely to yield new insights. Therefore, it is time to leave the field.

Question 19

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

In complete observation, the researcher's role is limited to simple observation and they do not attempt to interact or participate in the activity being observed. They remain as an outsider and only observe the behavior of the participants without any influence. Hence, the best choice is C) complete observer.

Question 20

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

Sally Ann's actions illustrate normalizing social field research, as she is attempting to make her research appear as normal and non-threatening as possible to the daycare centre workers.

Quiz 13: Field Research

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 field researcher's jotted notes should

The field researcher should

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?

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?

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

When does "guilty knowledge" occur?

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?

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

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

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