Question 1

If a researcher is recording instances of humor during a television show,that researcher is conducting
A)archival research.
B)content analysis.
C)naturalistic observation.
D)participant observation.

Accepted Answer

Content analysis involves systematically recording and analyzing the presence, frequency, and meaning of specific elements within cultural artifacts. In this case, the researcher is analyzing the content of a television show to identify instances of humor. Archival research typically involves analyzing pre-existing data, such as historical documents, while naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in naturalistic settings without interference or manipulation. Participant observation involves the researcher actively participating in the setting being observed.

Question 2

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
A)time sampling.
B)event sampling.
C)individual sampling.
D)interval method.

Accepted Answer

Individual sampling is used when the researcher selects one individual at a time for observation. In this scenario, the researcher is selecting one child at a time for observation in a day care setting. Time sampling involves selecting a specific time interval for observation and recording behaviors during that interval. Event sampling involves recording specific behaviors when they occur. The interval method involves dividing the observation period into smaller time intervals and recording specific behaviors during those intervals. None of these methods fit the scenario described, making individual sampling the best choice.

Question 3

In an observational study of classroom disruption,you record whether or not each child commits a disruptive act during each 60-second period of a 30-minute classroom observation.For this study,which method is being used to quantify the observations?
A)frequency
B)duration
C)interval
D)individual

Accepted Answer

The method being used to quantify the observations is interval recording, where the observation is divided into equal time intervals (in this case, 60-second periods) and the observer records whether the behavior of interest (disruptive act) occurred within the interval or not. This is different from frequency recording, which counts the number of times the behavior occurred, and duration recording, which measures how long the behavior lasts. The method is also not individual recording, as it is looking at the behavior of all children in the classroom, not focusing on one specific individual.

Question 4

Jane Goodall's research,examining the behavior of chimps in Africa,is an example of
A)participant observation.
B)naturalistic observation.
C)correlational research.
D)case study research.

Accepted Answer

Goodall's research involved observing chimps in their natural habitat, which is an example of naturalistic observation. Goodall did not manipulate any variables or intervene in the chimps' behavior, so it is not an example of participant observation or case study research. While Goodall likely collected data on various behaviors and characteristics of the chimps, her research did not focus on establishing correlations between different factors, so it is not an example of correlational research.

Question 5

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.
A)frequency
B)duration
C)interval
D)individual

Accepted Answer

The duration method involves recording the length of time a behavior lasts, which is exactly what is being done in this situation as the amount of time spent playing alone is being recorded. The frequency method involves recording how many times a behavior occurs within a given time period. The interval method involves dividing the observation period into intervals and recording whether the behavior occurs during each interval. The individual method involves focusing on specific individuals and their behaviors, rather than looking at the entire group.

Question 6

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?
A)naturalistic observation
B)participant observation
C)contrived observation
D)unstructured observation

Accepted Answer

This is a contrived observation, as the researcher has intentionally manipulated the situation to observe a specific behavior (frustration in losing students) that may not normally occur in a natural setting.

Question 7

When an observer switches recording from one behavior to another during an observation period,it is known as ________ sampling.
A)time
B)individual
C)event
D)frequency

Accepted Answer

Event sampling involves recording each occurrence of a specific behavior or event. This would be the appropriate choice if the observer is switching between observing different behaviors during the observation period. Time sampling involves recording during predetermined time intervals, individual sampling involves recording the behavior of a specific individual, and frequency sampling involves recording the number of times a behavior occurs within a specific time period.

Question 8

The goal of the descriptive research strategy is
A)to describe an individual person or patient in great detail.
B)to describe a variable (or variables)as they exist naturally.
C)to describe the relationship between two variables.
D)to establish the existence of a cause and effect relationship between variables.

Accepted Answer

The goal of descriptive research is to describe a variable or variables as they exist naturally. This type of research involves observing and measuring phenomena without manipulating any variables. The aim is to provide an accurate and detailed description of a particular topic or phenomenon. It does not aim to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables, which is the focus of other research strategies.

Question 9

Rosenham's research investigating the experiences of mental patients and patient-staff interactions in psychiatric hospitals is an example of
A)participant observation.
B)naturalistic observation.
C)correlational research.
D)case study research.

Accepted Answer

Rosenham's research involved participant observation, as he and his associates posed as mental patients and observed and recorded their experiences within psychiatric hospitals.

Question 10

Content analysis involves using behavioral observation techniques to record
A)behaviors that occurred in the past.
B)behaviors that occur in institutional settings (such as hospitals or prisons).
C)behaviors that occur in response to the researcher's suggestion.
D)behaviors that occur in movies or television shows.

Accepted Answer

Content analysis involves analyzing the content of written or spoken communication, such as movies or television shows.

Question 11

When researchers apply behavioral observation techniques to historical records in order to measure behaviors that occurred in the past,the measurement process is called
A)behavioral observation.
B)event sampling.
C)content analysis.
D)archival research.

Accepted Answer

Archival research involves the examination of historical records and documents in order to extract data and information that is relevant to the research question. When researchers use archival records to measure behaviors that occurred in the past, they are essentially applying behavioral observation techniques to these records. Content analysis involves the systematic categorization and analysis of a text or other form of communication. Event sampling is a specific technique used in behavioral observation, where the researcher records specific behaviors as they occur during a specific time period. While behavioral observation, event sampling, and content analysis can be used in conjunction with archival research, they are not the primary measurement process used in this method.

Question 12

A researcher who wanted to observe behaviors in a private social club would probably need to use
A)naturalistic observation.
B)participant observation.
C)contrived observation.
D)unstructured observation.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation would allow the researcher to observe behaviors in the social club while also becoming a part of the group and gaining access to its private activities. Naturalistic observation would not be possible since the club is intentionally private, and contrived observation or unstructured observation may not provide as accurate or detailed information about the social club's behavior.

Question 13

To help ensure that observational measurements are objective,which of the following techniques would be used?
A)habituate the participants to the observer's presence
B)prepare a list of behavior categories
C)measure inter-rater reliability
D)prepare a list of behavior categories and measure inter-rater reliability

Accepted Answer

The best option would be to prepare a list of behavior categories and measure inter-rater reliability. This ensures that not only are behaviors being objectively measured and categorized, but also that multiple observers are consistent in their observations. Habituation of participants may help reduce reactivity to the observer's presence, but it does not address the issue of objective measurements. Similarly, preparing a list of behavior categories alone may not ensure observer objectivity, and measuring inter-rater reliability alone may not address the issue of subjective categorization. Therefore, preparing a list of behavior categories and measuring inter-rater reliability are the best technique(s) to ensure observer objectivity in observational measurements.

Question 14

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.
A)frequency
B)duration
C)interval
D)behavior counting

Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the method of quantifying behavior involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs, which is the definition of frequency. Duration would involve recording the amount of time a behavior lasts, and interval would involve recording whether a behavior occurs during specific intervals of time. "Behavior counting" is not a commonly used term in behavioral research, but is essentially the same as frequency counting.

Question 15

Bird watching is most similar to what type of research?
A)experimental
B)participant observation
C)naturalistic observation
D)quasi-experimental

Accepted Answer

Bird watching involves observing birds in their natural habitat without interrupting their behavior, which is similar to naturalistic observation.

Question 16

Recording how many hours a week I study,involves using the _______ method,while simply recording whether or not I study in a week,involves using the __________ method.
A)interval; frequency
B)duration; interval
C)frequency; duration
D)interval; duration

Accepted Answer

The duration method involves recording the amount of time spent on an activity, such as the number of hours studied in a week. The interval method involves noting whether an activity occurs within a specific time frame, such as whether studying occurred during the week.

Question 17

A researcher lives for two months with a group of Asian nomads to observe their behaviors.For this study,what kind of behavioral observation is being used?
A)naturalistic observation.
B)participant observation.
C)contrived observation.
D)unstructured observation.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the environment being observed and actively participating in the activities being studied. In this scenario, the researcher is living with the group of nomads and observing their behaviors, indicating the use of participant observation.

Question 18

The _______ method for quantifying observations involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs.
A)duration
B)frequency
C)interval
D)time sample

Accepted Answer

The frequency method involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs, making it the best choice out of the options given. The duration method involves measuring the length of time that a behavior occurs, the interval method involves dividing a session into smaller time intervals and recording whether or not the behavior occurred during each interval, and the time sample method involves observing the behavior at specific time intervals rather than throughout the entire session. None of these methods involve simply counting the number of times the behavior occurs, making B the correct answer.

Question 19

A researcher uses a survey to obtain measurements of students' eating behavior at a local college.The researcher hopes to prepare a report describing where the students eat,what times they eat,and what kinds of food they eat.This researcher is using the
A)descriptive research strategy.
B)correlational research strategy.
C)experimental research strategy.
D)factorial research strategy.

Accepted Answer

The researcher is collecting data to describe the eating behavior of the students at the local college, which falls under the descriptive research strategy. This strategy is used to describe characteristics or behaviors of a group of interest. Correlational research strategy is used to determine whether and how two or more variables are related, experimental research strategy involves manipulation of one or more variables to determine cause-effect relationships, and factorial research strategy involves testing the effects of two or more independent variables on a dependent variable.

Question 20

In an observational study of children in a daycare center,you alternate 1 minute of observation with 1 minute of recording behavior.This is an example of ________ sampling.
A)time
B)individual
C)event
D)alternating-interval

Accepted Answer

This method is known as time sampling, where observations are made at specific time intervals.

Quiz 13: Descriptive Research Strategy

If a researcher is recording instances of humor during a television show,that researcher is conducting

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

In an observational study of classroom disruption,you record whether or not each child commits a disruptive act during each 60-second period of a 30-minute classroom observation.For this study,which method is being used to quantify the observations?

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

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.

When an observer switches recording from one behavior to another during an observation period,it is known as ________ sampling.

The goal of the descriptive research strategy is

Rosenham's research investigating the experiences of mental patients and patient-staff interactions in psychiatric hospitals is an example of

Content analysis involves using behavioral observation techniques to record

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

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

To help ensure that observational measurements are objective,which of the following techniques would be used?

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.

Bird watching is most similar to what type of research?

Recording how many hours a week I study,involves using the _ method,while simply recording whether or not I study in a week,involves using the ____ method.

A researcher lives for two months with a group of Asian nomads to observe their behaviors.For this study,what kind of behavioral observation is being used?

The _______ method for quantifying observations involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs.

A researcher uses a survey to obtain measurements of students' eating behavior at a local college.The researcher hopes to prepare a report describing where the students eat,what times they eat,and what kinds of food they eat.This researcher is using the

In an observational study of children in a daycare center,you alternate 1 minute of observation with 1 minute of recording behavior.This is an example of ________ sampling.