Deck 11: Field Research

Question 1

What distinguishes ethnography from other types of field research?

A) direct observation of a group or setting
B) a focus on the culture of a group of people
C) active participation in the lives of the people studied
D) observation of people in natural social settings

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to the text, which of the following is the defining characteristic of field research?

A) qualitative analysis
B) detached observation
C) active participation in the lives of the people studied
D) observation of people in natural social settings

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following has rarely been a target for field research studies?

A) ethnic communities
B) deviants
C) the rich and powerful
D) the poor and powerless

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Field research may involve all but which one of the following methodological characteristics?

A) direct observation
B) intentional alteration of the observational setting
C) interviews with informants
D) emergent research design

Question 5

Which sampling method is least likely to be used in field research?

A) multistage sampling
B) snowball sampling
C) purposive sampling
D) theoretical sampling

Question 6

Which of the following studies is reported in the text as having used probability sampling?

A) Calarco's study of children's help-seeking behavior in elementary school classrooms
B) Lofland's study of how strangers in public places relate to one another
C) Melbin's research on behavioral disturbances in mental hospitals
D) Morrill's study of conflict management among corporate executives

Question 7

The basic approach to sampling in most field research settings is to

A) carefully follow the sampling plan devised before entering the field.
B) sample so as to extend information obtained in the field.
C) develop a sampling plan once one's theory is clearly formulated.
D) ignore sampling altogether because it is generally inconsistent with the aims of field research.

Question 8

Unstructured observation is to structured observation as __________ is (are) to __________.

A) the early stages of field research; the later stages
B) unobtrusive; obtrusive
C) nonparticipant; participant
D) informant reports; direct observation

Question 9

Compared with unstructured observation, structured observation

A) is usually carried out in the early phases of field research.
B) allows for greater control of sampling and measurement error.
C) is a more frequent adjunct to participant observation.
D) permits weaker generalizations because it is more focused.

Question 10

A primary goal of participant observation is to

A) understand reality from an insider's point of view.
B) gain access to secret or private information withheld from outsiders.
C) make it easier to obtain all kinds of information.
D) develop deeper, more intimate relationships with the people being studied.

Question 11

Which of the following is least likely to pose a problem for the participant observer?

A) conflict between the roles of participant and scientific observer
B) the possibility of influencing the phenomena being studied
C) identifying with one's "subjects" and losing sight of the observer role
D) disclosing the general purpose of one's research to those observed

Question 12

How are in-depth interviews most like standardized interviews in survey research?

A) The questions are guided by the topics that the researcher wishes to address.
B) All questions are worked out in advance of the interview.
C) All questions are asked in the same order for all respondents.
D) The wording of questions should be the same for all respondents, regardless of background.

Question 13

An interview guide consists of

A) a set of rules for how to conduct interviews in social research.
B) an outline of topics and questions used in in-depth interviews.
C) strategies for broaching questions in informal interviewing.
D) lists of questions commonly asked by field researchers.

Question 14

Which of the following statements most accurately describes data analysis in field research?

A) Data analysis follows the completion of data collection, as in surveys and experiments.
B) Data analysis is merely descriptive and never explanatory.
C) Researchers may use computer software to code and link data sources.
D) Researchers let the data speak for themselves without using theory to shape their interpretations.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of Snow and Anderson's field research on the homeless?

A) It took place in San Francisco.
B) It sought to examine how homeless individuals managed their daily existence.
C) To lessen feelings of stress, the two researchers alternated their time in the field.
D) The study revealed that a majority of the homeless were mentally ill.

Question 16

Which of the following is the least important consideration in selecting a group or setting for field research?

A) It should speak to the researcher's theoretical or substantive interests.
B) It should be easily accessible.
C) It should allow for the ready development of rapport.
D) It should provide clear observation or easy participation.
E) The researcher should have no prior connection or experience with those in the setting.

Question 17

In which one of the following settings is a field researcher most likely to have to negotiate with one or more gatekeepers to gain access?

A) public restroom
B) subway train
C) laundromat
D) lobby of a country club

Question 18

When selecting a setting and gaining access to it, field researchers are advised to

A) always stay away from familiar settings because these will inhibit their objectivity.
B) limit themselves to public settings where access is not negotiable.
C) develop friendships when possible with those who are marginal to the group under study because they will be more honest about the group's activities.
D) gain entry to a community by using local stores and facilities and by volunteering to serve the community in some way.

Question 19

William Foote Whyte gained access to "Cornerville" by befriending a social worker, who introduced him to Doc, who introduced him to his friends and to politicians and racketeers in the area. Whyte thus employed __________ sampling, with Doc as his __________.

A) door opener; gatekeeper
B) snowball; key informant
C) yoked; key informant
D) successive nonrandom; gatekeeper

Question 20

After selecting a setting and gaining access to it, the next step for field researchers is to

A) decide what or whom to observe.
B) begin to make a record of observations.
C) formulate the guiding research question.
D) decide how to relate to those in the observational setting.

Question 21

Which master role generally presents the most serious ethical problems?

A) complete participant
B) participant-as-observer
C) observer-as-participant
D) complete observer

Question 22

Laud Humphreys gained access to men engaged in sexual encounters in public restrooms by posing as a voyeur and lookout. By performing these activities, Humphreys assumed a(n) __________ membership role in the setting that he studied.

A) peripheral
B) active
C) inactive
D) complete

Question 23

Which membership role in participant-observer studies is most likely to create a conflict between the observer and participant roles?

A) peripheral membership
B) inactive membership
C) active membership
D) complete membership

Question 24

__________ members adopt a functional role in the setting but do not commit themselves completely to the group; __________ are least likely to develop trust and rapport with the group.

A) Peripheral; active
B) Complete; active
C) Peripheral; complete
D) Active; peripheral

Question 25

Which of the following is true of the roles played by the researchers in the Austin Homeless Study?

A) Anderson and Snow conducted independent field observations in order to check the reliability of their observations.
B) While in the field, Snow performed the role of seasoned veteran while Anderson acted as a newcomer to the area.
C) Anderson adopted the role of "buddy-researcher" by blending the roles of researcher and friend.
D) Anderson assumed the role of complete participant by living among the homeless for a period of six months.

Question 26

The best approach to gathering information in the field is

A) videotaping.
B) audiotaping.
C) making quick field jottings.
D) taking detailed notes on the spot.

Question 27

Brief written recordings of observations made while researchers are in the field are called

A) data entries.
B) field jottings.
C) field notes.
D) field memos.

Question 28

When are field notes recorded in field research?

A) immediately during the course of observation
B) as soon after leaving the field as possible, typically at the end of the day
C) after the researcher has had time to reflect, typically at the end of each week

Question 29

Ideally, field notes should do all but which one of the following?

A) exclude what is clearly trivial and mundane
B) provide an extensive, detailed record of events
C) present concrete, behavioral details
D) separate factual observations from personal feelings and interpretations

Question 30

To develop ideas from their field notes, field researchers

A) arrange their notes into categories based on the hypotheses that informed the research.
B) develop coding schemes before they make their field observations.
C) ask questions about the data.
D) carefully distinguish between information gained from observation and information gained through participation.

Question 31

How did Snow and Anderson organize their data in the homeless study?

A) by creating a diary-like chronology of events
B) by applying pre-established codes for analyzing the homeless
C) in terms of three major coding categories: settings, domains, and homeless individuals
D) in terms of the daily activities associated with finding food and shelter

Question 32

Which of the following sequences best describes the process of recording and analyzing data in field research?

A) write memos $\rightarrow$ make field jottings $\rightarrow$ develop and code data $\rightarrow$ record field notes
B) write memos $\rightarrow$ develop and code data $\rightarrow$ make field jottings $\rightarrow$ record field notes
C) make field jottings $\rightarrow$ record field notes $\rightarrow$ develop and code data $\rightarrow$ write memos
D) develop and code data $\rightarrow$ write memos $\rightarrow$ make field jottings $\rightarrow$ record field notes

Question 33

Which of the following is not a strength of field research?

A) naturalistic approach
B) in-depth and holistic understanding
C) flexible research design
D) generalizability

Question 34

Compared with other research approaches, field research generally

A) takes less time to complete.
B) generates more reliable information.
C) requires a more detailed research design.
D) is more dependent on the observational and interpretive skills of the researcher.

Question 35

By virtue of its strengths, field research would work best for addressing which one of the following research questions?

A) Do feelings of guilt increase the likelihood that someone will help others?
B) Are men more likely than women to donate blood?
C) How do teenage mothers manage to care for their children?
D) Does the incidence of domestic abuse increase during an economic recession?

Question 36

Which of the following is false regarding the "attitudinal fallacy"? (Box 11.2)

A) It is more likely to be a problem in field research than in survey research.
B) It reflects the tendency for people to behave differently in different situations.
C) It is based on the disparity between what people say and what they do.
D) It may be a product of reactive measurement error.

Question 37

Field researchers generally enter the field with a clear-cut research design that is rarely subject to change.

Question 38

The research question in field research may change once a researcher begins collecting and analyzing data.

Question 39

Once in the field, sampling in field research usually involves the random selection of participants and events.

Question 40

Theoretical sampling refers to theory-based probability sampling.

Question 41

Nonparticipant observation often moves from unstructured to structured.

Question 42

The most common form of field research is participant observation.

Question 43

Participant observers may experience tension between expectations associated with their roles of participant and observer.

Question 44

Interviewing in field research may occur in informal conversations or in more formal in-depth interviews.

Question 45

In-depth interviews are like structured survey interviews except they take longer.

Question 46

Interview guides for semi-structured interviews contain a list of topics and questions.

Question 47

It is always better to select a field setting that is strange or new than one that is familiar.

Question 48

Field researchers should never use personal connections to gain entry to a private setting.

Question 49

Because of access issues, field research is generally limited to public settings.

Question 50

Key informants refer to gatekeepers who allow access (i.e., unlock gates) to the observational setting.

Question 51

Covert research presents serious ethical problems regardless of the setting in which it is carried out.

Question 52

Field researchers generally avoid forming close relationships with those they are observing.

Question 53

It is always better for field researchers to present themselves as in command and knowledgeable rather than incompetent and naïve.

Question 54

The primary basis of field notes is videotaped recordings of interactions.

Question 55

The best time for field researchers to record field notes is as soon after they leave the field as possible, usually at the end of each day.

Question 56

Field notes should provide as detailed and concrete a description of events as possible.

Question 57

Field researchers may choose to supplement their observations with data from interviews or official records.

Question 58

Data analysis in field research should take place only after one's field observations are complete.

Question 59

Data analysis in field research seldom goes beyond a detailed, concrete description of the research setting.

Question 60

Grounded theory is derived from field observations.

Question 61

One way to increase the reliability of field research is to conduct team research with two or more investigators.

Question 62

Field research is a good way to study rapidly changing situations.

Question 63

The major cost in most field research is time.

Question 64

Field research is highly dependent on the observational and interpretive skills of the researcher.

Question 65

In Chapter 2, the authors described the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning. In what ways is field research more likely than other approaches to involve an inductive logic of inquiry? Be sure to discuss emergent research design and the process of data analysis.

Question 66

How does field research differ from survey research in terms of research design, data collection, and data analysis?

Question 67

Distinguish between nonparticipant observation and participant observation. Explain how there is a fine line between these two types of observation. Then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of participation.

Question 68

Describe the range of membership roles that the participant observer may perform. How do these roles differ in terms of (a) ability to develop trust and rapport, (b) access to various kinds of information, and (c) personal consequences for the researcher?

Question 69

In field research, the researcher is the primary instrument of inquiry. Carefully explain the meaning of this statement by discussing how, more so than in surveys and experiments, the quality of field research depends on the observational and analytical skills of the researcher.

Question 70

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research in relation to surveys and experiments.