Question 1

When an observer switches recording from one behavior during one interval to another behavior during another interval, it is known as ____ sampling.

Accepted Answer

Event sampling involves observing a particular behavior and recording every time it occurs. When an observer switches recording from one behavior during one interval to another behavior during another interval, it is known as event sampling. Time sampling involves observing the behaviors within specific time intervals. Individual sampling involves observing one particular individual and recording their behaviors. Frequency sampling involves recording the frequency of which a behavior occurs during a specific time interval.

Question 2

During a study using the behavioral research strategy, it is common to have two observers record behavior simultaneously. What is the purpose for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

Having two observers record behavior simultaneously is a method of evaluating the reliability of the measurements. This procedure helps determine the consistency and accuracy of the observations made, which is necessary in ensuring the validity of the study. The presence of multiple observers can also help identify any potential sources of bias and increase the overall quality and rigor of the research.

Question 3

In an observational study of autistic children, you record how much time each child spends playing alone during a 30-minute observation period. This is an example of the ____ method of quantifying behavior.

Accepted Answer

The duration method involves recording the length of time that a behavior occurs, which is perfect for measuring how much time each child spends playing alone during a 30-minute observation period. The frequency method involves counting the number of occurrences of a behavior, while the interval method involves dividing observation time into smaller time intervals and recording whether or not the behavior occurs within each interval. The individual method is not a commonly used method for quantifying behavior.

Question 4

When researchers use behavioral observation techniques to measure behaviors in movies, what is the measurement process called?

Accepted Answer

The measurement process described is content analysis, which involves systematically examining media content (such as movies) to identify and quantify specific features or characteristics (such as behaviors). Behavioral observation refers to the act of watching and recording behaviors, but it is not necessarily tied to analyzing media content. Event sampling and archival research are also research methods, but they are not specifically related to measuring behaviors in movies through observation.

Question 5

A researcher has pairs of college student participants play a card game in the laboratory. However, the game is rigged to ensure that one participant experiences a long losing streak so that the researcher can observe how the losing students behave when they are frustrated. For this study, what kind of behavioral observation is being used?

Accepted Answer

The researcher has rigged the game to induce frustration in one participant, which means that the situation is contrived rather than natural. The researcher is observing the behavior of the participants under this specific and controlled condition, which is the essence of contrived observation. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in a more natural setting without manipulating variables, and participant observation involves the observer becoming a part of the group being observed. Unstructured observation does not apply to this situation, as the researcher has set up a specific context for the observation.

Question 6

A researcher who wanted to observe behaviors in a private social club would probably need to use ____.

Accepted Answer

In order to observe behaviors in a private social club, a researcher would likely need to become a member and participate in club activities in order to make observations as a participant. This is known as participant observation. Naturalistic observation involves observing behaviors in a natural setting, but if the club is considered a private setting, this may not be feasible. Contrived observation involves creating an artificial situation to observe behavior, which may not be appropriate or ethical in this context. Unstructured observation involves observing behaviors without a specific plan, which may not yield the necessary data for the researcher's purposes.

Question 7

A researcher conducts a survey to determine the average number of minutes that college students spend on their smartphones in a typical day. Which research strategy is being used?

Accepted Answer

The research strategy being used is descriptive, as the researcher is simply gathering data on a specific variable (the average number of minutes spent on smartphones) and describing it. There is no manipulation of variables or attempt to establish causation, which would be necessary for an experimental or correlational strategy. Nonexperimental strategy is a broad category encompassing both descriptive and correlational strategies, so it is not a specific enough answer.

Question 8

How does the descriptive research strategy differ from the experimental or nonexperimental research strategies?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research is focused on describing and characterizing a phenomenon or group, such as through surveys, interviews, or observations. It does not involve manipulating variables, as in experimental research, or seeking to establish causality, as in nonexperimental research.

Question 9

The ____ method for quantifying observations involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs in a specified period of time.

Accepted Answer

The frequency method involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs in a specified period of time. The duration method involves measuring the length of time a behavior occurs. The interval method involves dividing the observation period into intervals and recording whether the behavior occurs during each interval. The time sample method involves recording the occurrence of the behavior in predetermined time periods throughout the observation period. Therefore, the best choice is B for the given question.

Question 10

In an observational study of children in a day care setting, you select one participant at a time for observation. This is an example of using ____.

Accepted Answer

Individual sampling involves selecting one participant at a time for observation, which is what is described in the scenario given. Time sampling involves observing at predetermined time intervals, event sampling involves observing specific behaviors or events, and interval methodology involves observing behaviors during specific time intervals.

Question 11

In the observational study of adolescents at the mall, you count the number of social interaction behaviors that occur within a one-hour observation period. This is an example of the ____ method of quantifying behavior.

Accepted Answer

Frequency refers to the number of times a behavior occurs within a specific observation period, which is what is being counted in this study. Duration refers to the length of time a behavior lasts, and interval involves dividing the observation period into smaller time intervals to track whether the behavior occurs or not during each interval. "Behavior counting" is not a commonly used term in the field.

Question 12

The general goal of a research study using the descriptive research strategy is to ____.

Accepted Answer

The main objective of descriptive research is to describe variables as they exist naturally, without manipulating them or establishing cause-and-effect relationships. This type of study aims to provide detailed and accurate information about a particular phenomenon or population, often by using surveys, questionnaires, or observational methods. Descriptive research can help researchers identify patterns, trends, and associations that may be useful for generating hypotheses or designing further studies, but it does not seek to explain or predict behavior.

Question 13

In an observational study of children in a day care center, you alternate one minute of observation with one minute of recording behavior. This is an example of ____ sampling.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of time sampling, where observations are made at specific time intervals.

Question 14

During a study using the behavioral research strategy, it is common to prepare a list of behaviors called behavioral categories before the actual observation begins. The purpose for this procedure is to ____.

Accepted Answer

By preparing a list of behavioral categories before the actual observation, the researcher is improving the reliability of the measurements. This is because having predetermined categories to observe and record behaviors ensures that all observers are looking for and recording the same behaviors consistently, which increases the reliability of the data collected. It does not necessarily impact statistical significance, external or internal validity.

Question 15

Jane Goodall's research, examining the behavior of chimps in Africa, is an example of ____.

Accepted Answer

Jane Goodall's research method involves observing and documenting the natural behavior of chimps in their own environment, without manipulating any variables or conditions, which is a key characteristic of naturalistic observation.

Question 16

Content analysis involves using behavioral observation techniques to record behaviors that ____.

Accepted Answer

Content analysis is a research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within some given qualitative data (i.e., text). Using content analysis, researchers can quantify and analyze the presence, meanings, and relationships of such certain words, themes, or concepts. In the context of the options provided, content analysis is often used to study behaviors, themes, or messages that occur in movies or television shows, as these are forms of media content that can be systematically analyzed for various patterns or representations.

Question 17

When researchers apply behavioral observation techniques to historical records in order to measure behaviors that occurred in the past, the measurement process is called ____.

Accepted Answer

Archival research involves examining historical records, such as diaries, letters, and government documents, to gather data about behaviors that occurred in the past. This can involve applying behavioral observation techniques or content analysis to these records in order to measure specific behaviors or patterns. Event sampling is a specific type of behavioral observation technique and not necessarily related to archival research. Content analysis can also be used in archival research, but it is not the measurement process itself.

Question 18

Bird watching is most similar to what type of research?

Accepted Answer

Bird watching involves observing birds in their natural habitat without manipulating any variables, which is similar to naturalistic observation.

Question 19

What is the purpose for using habituation in an observational research study?

Accepted Answer

Habituation helps ensure that the people being observed are not influenced by the presence of an observer. This allows for more natural behaviors to be observed and reduces the likelihood of the observer effect.

Question 20

Recording how many hours a week your roommate spends studying involves using the ____ method, while simply recording whether or not your roommate studies in a week involves using the ____ method.

Accepted Answer

Recording the number of hours involves measuring the duration of the studying sessions, while noting whether or not studying occurs is an example of using an interval method, where the presence or absence of behavior within specific intervals of time is recorded.

Quiz 13: The Descriptive Research Strategy