Deck 11: Non-Reactive Research Methods

Question 1

A collection of research methods that gather information from research subjects without their knowledge is:

A) covert methods.
B) undercover methods.
C) non-reactive methods.
D) overt methods.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A researcher studies three of the most widely-circulated women's magazines over a ten-year time period to explore how they frame the issue of violence against women. Which of the following non-reactive research methods is this researcher using?

A) Field observations
B) Content analysis
C) Secondary analysis
D) Feminist research

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A researcher uses data from the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, made available through the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research to study inmates over time. Which of the following non-reactive research methods is this researcher using?

A) Field observations
B) Content analysis
C) Official statistics
D) Secondary analysis

Answer 3

D

Question 4

A researcher watches the process of jury selection over a one-year period in one courthouse in order to understand the problem of race-conscious jury selection. Which of the following non-reactive research methods is this researcher using?

A) Field observations
B) Observational research
C) Secondary analysis
D) Content analysis

Question 5

Which of the following is a major limitation of non-reactive research?

A) It can pose ethical challenges when it involves covert observation.
B) It does not lend itself to descriptive or exploratory research.
C) Such research removes human behavior from its natural setting.
D) Research subjects can change their behavior in reaction to being observed.

Question 6

Non-reactive research techniques are least useful for which of the following types of research?

A) Descriptive
B) Explanatory
C) Exploratory

Question 7

In field research, it is common to train research assistants on what to look for in field observations and how to code their observations. Such training helps ensure which of the following?

A) Construct validity
B) Inter-rater reliability
C) Predictive validity
D) Test-retest reliability

Question 8

A researcher from the local university openly observes how correctional officers manage conflict between inmates. Would this research method be non-reactive?

A) Yes, because the researcher is observing behavior in its natural setting.
B) Yes, because the inmates would not know why the researcher is there.
C) No, because the inmates would likely know that the researcher is observing them.
D) No, because the researcher obtained the inmates' voluntary and informed consent to observe them.

Question 9

A researcher poses as a probation officer to understand how probation officers deal with juveniles who violate probation. Would this research method be non-reactive?

A) Yes, if the actual probation officers did not know the researcher's true identity and purpose.
B) No, because the probation officers would immediately know the researcher's intention.
C) Yes, if the researcher cleared it through the chief probation officer.
D) No, because non-reactive research cannot ethically be conducted in this setting.

Question 10

Researchers conducting unobtrusive observations will often record data on pre-formatted tables known as:

A) coding sheets.
B) data books.
C) field binders.
D) record tablets.

Question 11

The most accurate method for recording information during field observations is to use a video- or audio-recorder. This method also happen to be the:

A) least obtrusive.
B) least reliable.
C) most expensive.
D) most reactive.

Question 12

A non-reactive research method that requires a researcher to observe behavior in its natural setting is referred to as:

A) context research.
B) field research.
C) nature research.
D) setting research.

Question 13

A researcher who studies graffiti to understand relationships between different urban gangs would be using which type of non-reactive measure?

A) accretion.
B) archival.
C) erosion.
D) reactive.

Question 14

The main problem that researchers are trying to overcome when using a non-reactive research method is:

A) reactivity.
B) research expense.
C) privacy.
D) publicity.

Question 15

A social science study involving the inventory of trash is using what type of non-reactive measure?

A) An erosion measure
B) A collection measure
C) An accretion measure
D) A refuse measure

Question 16

A researcher who observes behavior in its natural setting is called a:

A) field researcher.
B) unobtrusive researcher.
C) covert researcher.
D) hidden researcher.

Question 17

A researcher who is using data collected by a previous researcher is conducting what type of non-reactive research?

A) Archival research
B) Secondary analysis
C) Post analysis
D) Follow up research

Question 18

A researcher who studies the messages contained in gang graffiti is conducting what type of non-reactive research?

A) Archival research
B) Field research
C) Content analysis
D) Communication research

Question 19

Most non-reactive research is:

A) descriptive.
B) exploratory.
C) neither a nor b.
D) both a and b.

Question 20

The conceptualization and operationalization processes in non-reactive research are:

A) completely unnecessary.
B) more important than in other research methods.
C) about the same as in other research methods.
D) less important than in other research methods.

Question 21

In order for field research to be purely non-reactive, the researcher must assume the role of a(n):

A) overt participant.
B) covert observer.
C) full participant.
D) It is impossible for field research to be purely non-reactive.

Question 22

The conceptualization process in a content analysis is:

A) less important than in other non-reactive techniques.
B) about the same as in other non-reactive techniques.
C) more important than in other non-reactive techniques.
D) unnecessary.

Question 23

Non-reactive research is often the best way to gather data when individuals might change their behavior when they become aware of being observed. This behavioral change is a major threat to validity and is known as:

A) accretion.
B) conversion.
C) reactivity.
D) selection bias.

Question 24

The least accurate method for recording information during field observations is for the researcher to make notes based on memory after leaving the field. This method would also be the:

A) least reactive.
B) least reliable.
C) most expensive.
D) most reactive.