After the results of a large research study on police procedures were publicized, the researchers were interested in determining whether the study had affected police policy. The researcher telephoned a large number of big-city police departments and asked a number of questions about department policies and procedures. This is an example of which data-gathering strategy?
A) Participant observation
B) Survey research
C) Case study
D) Secondary analysis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strategy used in this scenario is survey research, which involves gathering data through structured questionnaires or interviews. The researchers are directly asking the police departments about their policies and procedures, which is the basis of survey research. Option A (participant observation) involves observing and experiencing a situation first-hand, which is not the case here. Option C (case study) involves in-depth examination of a single case or entity, which is not the scenario here. Option D (secondary analysis) involves re-analyzing data or information that has already been collected and recorded, which is also not the strategy used in this scenario.

After the Results of a Large Research Study on Police