Question 1

Projective techniques are a data gathering method.

Accepted Answer

Projective techniques are a data gathering method that ask individuals to respond to ambiguous stimuli in order to reveal their attitudes, beliefs, and feelings about particular topics.

Question 2

Ethnography is a data gathering method.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 3

When using a sample of a population in a research project, the researcher must clearly describe the sample. Then s/he must explain why that sample was selected and clearly describe the sampling method, the means by which that sample was selected.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. It is essential for researchers to provide a detailed description of the sample population and methodology used to select the sample for their research projects.

Question 4

Decisions with regard to whether to work with an entire population or a sample of the population are made based on the size of the population, the time available for the research, and the requirements of the research.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The decision to work with an entire population or a sample population is dependent on factors such as the size of the population, time limitations, and research requirements.

Question 5

Field diaries are a means of gathering data.

Accepted Answer

Field diaries are used by researchers, anthropologists, and social scientists as a method of collecting data during field research. They serve as a record of the researcher's experiences, observations, and thoughts while conducting research in a particular location.

Question 6

It is often the case that the entire population of the research is too big, and as a result beyond the scope of the researcher. In such situations, the researcher clearly defines the population of the research, and then selects from that population a sample to study.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Researchers often select a smaller sample from a larger population to make their research more manageable and feasible.

Question 7

The researcher might be working with a population with cultural issues, language issues, or with literacy issues. Any or all of these will have an impact of the design of data gathering technique.

Accepted Answer

Cultural issues, language issues, and literacy issues can all affect the design of data gathering techniques. Researchers must ensure that they are sensitive to these issues and take steps to address them in order to ensure that their data is both accurate and representative of the population they are studying. For example, they may need to use translators, use cultural liaisons, or adapt questionnaires to be appropriate for particular groups.

Question 8

Participant observation is a data gathering method.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the social setting under study and observing and participating in the activities of the group being studied. This is a form of data gathering used in qualitative research.

Question 9

The researcher designing the research project decides on and defines the parameters of the population of the study.

Accepted Answer

The researcher typically determines the population of the study, which refers to the group of individuals or entities that the researcher is interested in studying and generalizing the results to. The population is defined in terms of its relevant characteristics and boundaries.

Question 10

The researcher must know what kinds of data are needed and where the data are to be found, before decisions can be made about how to gather that data.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. It is important for researchers to identify the specific types of data they need and where they can obtain that data in order to plan the appropriate data collection methods.

Question 11

Participant observation is the same as observation, with one major difference, the researcher is a participant in the action s/he is observing.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves not only observing a group of people or culture, but also actively participating in their activities and rituals in order to gain a deeper understanding of their behavior and beliefs.

Question 12

The term 'research methods' means data collection methods or data gathering techniques; data collection methods are the means by which researchers gather the data required for the research project.

Accepted Answer

The term 'research methods' does refer to data collection methods or data gathering techniques.

Question 13

Some research is carried out using entire populations and some is carried out using sample populations or samples of populations.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Some research can be conducted using a census or entire population, while other research is conducted using a sample population or a portion of the population. The choice of method depends on the research question, feasibility, and resources available.

Question 14

There are two kinds of sampling, probability and non probability sampling.

Accepted Answer

This statement is correct. Probability sampling involves randomly selecting participants from a population, while non-probability sampling involves selecting participants based on non-random criteria.

Question 15

The sample is a small sub-set of the population.

Accepted Answer

A sample is a small selection of individuals or things taken from a larger population. So, it is true that a sample is a small sub-set of the population.

Question 16

Researchers are very pragmatic when it comes to research methods. They use whatever method of data collection is most appropriate, whatever data collection method will work best.

Accepted Answer

Researchers prioritize the effectiveness and appropriateness of research methods over personal preferences or biases for particular methods.

Question 17

The key issue in sampling is that of representation. The concept of representation relates to the degree to which a sample drawn from a population can be said to be representative of the population.

Accepted Answer

Representation is indeed the key issue in sampling as it determines the extent to which the findings from the sample can be generalized to the larger population. A representative sample is one that reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn in terms of key variables of interest.

Question 18

Saturation point is reached when the researcher, though continuing to explore the phenomenon with participants in the research, no longer hears any new thoughts, feelings, attitudes, emotions, intentions, etc. This is saturation point, the researcher is 'saturated' with knowledge on the topic and continuing to engage participants would not be useful, necessary, or ethically sound, as engaging further participants in the research will not add in any way to the knowledge generated.

Accepted Answer

Saturation point is indeed reached when the researcher no longer hears any new information from participants, indicating that they have gathered enough knowledge for the research.

Question 19

If the sampling method used is appropriate, the response rate is irrelevant.

Accepted Answer

The response rate can provide valuable information about the representativeness of the sample and potential nonresponse bias. A low response rate can lead to concerns about the generalizability of the findings. Therefore, the response rate should be taken into consideration when evaluating the quality of the sample.

Question 20

The emphasis in non-probability sampling is on the capacity of a relatively small number of cases to clearly and comprehensively illustrate the phenomenon under investigation.

Accepted Answer

Non-probability sampling techniques are often used in qualitative research to gather in-depth information from a small group of participants that can clearly and comprehensively illustrate the phenomenon under investigation. The goal is not to generalize findings to a larger population, but rather to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon being studied.

Quiz 8: Understanding Research Methods, Populations and Sampling